Learn before voting this year: conspiracy theorists standing in local/national elections

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Forums › Politics › Learn before voting this year: conspiracy theorists standing in local/national elections

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#2955835 18-Aug-2022 07:11

Another one for the list: Wellington candidate Barbara McKenzie appears to have views that conflict with the sentiments of many Geekzoners - https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/129578231/wellington-mayoral-hopeful-claimed-covid-vaccine-dangerous-backed-trump-rioters

I have to be fair and say that Stuff, oft-maligned by myself, is doing a pretty good job in raising awareness of these folk.

Sometimes I use big words I don't always fully understand in an effort to make myself sound more photosynthesis.

freitasm

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#2955849 18-Aug-2022 08:16

Also, these two articles: School trust boards: Conspiracy-driven candidates worrying principals - NZ Herald and Voices For Freedom pushing followers to apply for key general election roles - NZ Herald

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#2955853 18-Aug-2022 08:23

Also The Covid-19 conspiracy theorists targeting Northland's local elections | Stuff.co.nz

“Sovereign NZ” is targeting local body elections, pushing debunked claims about United Nations sustainability goals, known as Agenda 30.

The most high profile candidate is founder Joshua Ben Riley, a Texan now living close to Paihia, who is standing to be Far North mayor.

His wife, Alisha Riley, a singer, has her sights on the Kaikohe-Hokianga council ward.

[The] eight Sovereign NZ candidates: Rosemary Rodgers, Diane Rodgers, Paul McLaren, Rob Eady, Alisha Riley, Pierre Fernandes, Joshua Riley and Garth Holder.

Their views on vaccines overlap with “wellness” and natural health movements and concerns that either the UN or the World Economic Forum is working to deprive citizens of autonomy.

Riley says Sovereign does not have vaccine or mandate policies “as this is beyond the scope of local government”. But one candidate denounces “the Covid-19 mRNA experiment”, another lost her job after refusing to get vaccinated, and a third talks of “junk science” used “to strip away our rights”.

He says the group accepts man-made climate change but rejects the current government’s zero-carbon policies.

Yet Bay of Islands-Whangaroa candidate Rob Eady refers to “climate hysteria” and opposes “the fraudulent climate change pseudo-science”. Eady also holds anti-vax views.

The candidates include Paul McLaren, a former teacher, running for the Te Hiku Ward. “Before standing for local council I was standing on the highway here in Coopers Beach holding freedom signs on daily basis,” he wrote on the group’s campaign website.

Rosemary Rodgers, also a former teacher, subscribes to the Agenda 30 conspiracy.

The group oppose the creation of Māori wards, but Diane Rodgers is standing in the Ngā Tai o Tokerau ward. Rodgers claims she lost her job with Corrections because of a requirement for staff to be vaccinated.

Garth Holder and Pierre Fernandes, who works in infrastructure, are contesting the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa ward.

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#2955935 18-Aug-2022 10:40

quickymart:

Had a look at the page but couldn't see anything obvious - I guess I'm just looking for a list? There might not be one for school boards 😕

They have only started gathering information. Nominations only closed last week so the candidate lists have only recently been finalised. It seems as information is coming up Stuff is also doing work to identify them. The unfortunate thing is everyone has been caught a bit flat footed and in a lot of areas there is a shortage of candidates meaning they can get in by default. This is especially true for school boards many schools only got just enough nominations for the positions available.

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#2955955 18-Aug-2022 11:28

Maybe publishing their names is a double edged sword that could have the opposite of the desired effect. All those people that agree with such views will now have names of who to vote for.

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#2955963 18-Aug-2022 11:59

Eva888: Maybe publishing their names is a double edged sword that could have the opposite of the desired effect. All those people that agree with such views will now have names of who to vote for.

That is a good point, but I would imagine that those people probably already know through their networks. Those receptive to conspiracy messaging will have sought out others who share their beliefs.

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#2956282 18-Aug-2022 17:18

Another one, this time in Dunedin: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/129603466/conspiracy-theorist-pamela-taylor-running-for-dunedin-mayoralty

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#2956293 18-Aug-2022 17:51

Eva888: Maybe publishing their names is a double edged sword that could have the opposite of the desired effect. All those people that agree with such views will now have names of who to vote for.

The thing is they know their views and actions are not popular with the wider community, that is why they are conspiring to hide their VFF affiliations and communicate in their closed off communities and groups.

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#2956308 18-Aug-2022 18:13

Indeed, they are very much the fringe minority, not the majority. Yet they (and by "they", I mean the likes of Brian Tamaki) think they "speak for everyone" - when they clearly don't.

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#2956453 19-Aug-2022 06:59

Here's another one, this time in Kaipara: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/129610105/the-tiny-district-with-conspiracy-theorists-standing-for-election

Del La Varis-Woodcock was reluctant to discuss her participation in the occupation saying it “wasn’t relevant”. “I do not know how the protest ended because I was not there. I returned to serve my community.”

Gee. How convenient 🙄

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#2956512 19-Aug-2022 11:10

Just saw that Lisa Lewis is associated with one of the nutter groups so cant vote for her :(

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#2956518 19-Aug-2022 11:16

Where did you see that?
Also I always thought she was a bit "nutty" anyway, even before she wanted to run for mayor. I remember her getting all that attention from her streaking back in the mid-2000s. She always seemed a bit...odd.

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#2956520 19-Aug-2022 11:19

quickymart:

Where did you see that?
Also I always thought she was a bit "nutty" anyway, even before she wanted to run for mayor. I remember her getting all that attention from her streaking back in the mid-2000s. She always seemed a bit...odd.

On her facebook page.

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#2956538 19-Aug-2022 11:53

Thanks for that. See what I mean about "nutty"?

I don't think she's got a hope anyway - she certainly hasn't featured in any mayoral polls that I've seen. She tried to run in Hamilton previously as well, and did miserably in the end.

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#2956599 19-Aug-2022 15:22

New Zealand city Wellington mayoral hopeful claimed Covid vaccine dangerous, backed Trump rioters

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