The world has become a lot angrier, and far less patient and tolerant, since the Covid-19 pandemic began. The landslide that is Covid is still affecting communities, even though most of the rocks have stopped falling.
The disagreements over mandates and the efficacy of vaccinations, the rise of misinformation and disinformation, conspiracy theories and the disregard for truth from the likes of United States President Donald Trump and cronies have turned the world we thought we knew on its head.
It’s a consequence of that lack of trust from some groups of officials of all kinds that leads to the casual anger we can experience just about anywhere. People do not want to, or do not know how to, argue and disagree logically about facts and opinions, choosing instead to personally attack those promulgating them.
Local body councillors in New Zealand are among the targets and have had to put up with antagonism, intimidation and threats of violence. What happened in Port Chalmers last Thursday evening is just one example of appalling and unacceptable conduct.
A heckler who became abusive, used foul language and acted in a threatening manner tried to derail a Dunedin Area Citizens Association candidate meeting but left before the police arrived.
Future Dunedin mayoral hopeful Andrew Simms, who was in the audience, blamed social media for empowering such misconduct and said it was undermining for candidates.
Dunedin city councillor and mayoral candidate Sophie Barker said abuse had skyrocketed in the past six years, including violent messages that she "should die" for council decisions. Cr Andrew Whiley has a similar story to tell. This is his sixth election and it was far and away the most toxic he had participated in, he told this newspaper.
Just this week over on the West Coast, the Grey District Council called on police to investigate online threats to councillors, including references to assassination and torture. Many comments were on online community noticeboards from ratepayers disgruntled about their rising bills and potential charging for water.
This is not the first time in recent years we have felt compelled to call out the behaviour of some who disagree with others, particularly local body representatives. There is far too much rancour: people with various beefs need to take a good look at themselves and whether their performance is constructive and appropriate.
However, free speech is diluted if some bore in a crowd overstays their welcome, stops others from having their chance to say what they want, and puts people off standing for office.
It’s time for those who know what decent behaviour is to stand up to those whose actions actually threaten democracy for us all.
Booze at the market
Good news for Dunedin that the highly successful George St Market is back on the events calendar for 2026.
More than 20,000 visitors are expected to browse and amble through the market on February 7. Here’s hoping the weather will also play its part.
However, we have to wonder at the wisdom of the Dunedin City Council in temporarily lifting a central city alcohol ban so the thousands attending can booze as well as browse.
The intention is to have a dedicated drinking and entertainment area somewhere around the lower Octagon and Bath St.
That’s all very well, and may appear like it is something which will help contain any drunken behaviour. Realistically, though, intoxicated people will wander away from such a zone, taking their ill-judgement and bad behaviour with them.
Was the council’s move to allow alcohol necessary? Surely there are already plenty of pubs and bars in the central city which cater for those who fancy a tipple or three?
On what potentially could be a long and warm summer evening, we have to wonder if this perhaps is asking for trouble.
