Atawhai

Monday, 29 March 2010 By MARIANNE KELLY (Times online)

HE PROMISED to “push back” the forces behind cellphone masts outside people’s homes when he visited East Manukau.
But, in the end, super-city mayoral candidate John Banks was forced to fall back on getting the legislation changed, a stance maintained by a majority of Manukau City councillors over many torrid months.
A conference room full of people at a Half Moon Bay Residents and Ratepayers meeting were boosted by Mr Banks’ criticising telecommunications companies.
“They are arrogant people,” he said to cheers.
“In the dying days of the previous government they were given the ability to set up towers across New Zealand when they liked, how and where they liked.
“Auckland City is pushing the cellphone tower constructors, and the rich and powerful people behind them, back. The message from the city to Wellington is we need to change the legislation.”
However, Mr Banks was unable to assure one of the affected residents – Greg Kasper, of Mellons Bay – that he could get rid of existing masts or stop new ones.
“No, I can’t say we will get rid of cellphone towers unless we change the regulations [National Environmental Standards].

“Never let it be said that we will get rid of cellphone towers.
“It will be difficult for us to do anything about it except push them back.”

The mayor of the new super-city, he said, would have a lot of influence for change.

“Wellington has not woken up to that fact. They’re going to have to listen. We’re going to push back the cellphone people and get the Government to change that late [regulations] decision.”