Andrew Judd
Andrew Judd | |
---|---|
26th Mayor of New Plymouth | |
Assumed office 26 October 2016 | |
Deputy | Heather Dodunski |
Preceded by | Harry Duynhoven |
Majority | 9,206 |
Councillor for New Plymouth District | |
In office 2010–2013 | |
Personal details | |
Political party | Māori Party |
Andrew Judd is a New Zealand local government politician and activist. He won the mayoralty off one-term incumbent Harry Duynhoven with a resounding 9,206 vote majority in 2013[1] and served one term before announcing he would not stand again in 2016.[2]
Māori wards
In 2014 Judd caused controversy when he and his council supported the establishment of a special Māori ward in New Plymouth in a move intended to increase Māori representation, lift Iwi participation in council decision-making and fulfill Treaty of Waitangi obligations. Additionally, Judd also called for all councils in New Zealand to be half-Māori.[3] The proposals were widely criticised by politicians and the media, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters calling arguments for the ward "childish nonsense" [3] and right-wing media personality Mike Hosking labeling Judd "completely out of touch with middle New Zealand".[3] In the months following a publicly-initiated referendum on the creation of a Māori ward, which Judd lost in a landslide, the Mayor spoke to media about "a man in a Nazi uniform" coming to see him, getting removed as a patron of a club, being abused walking down the street in a Santa parade and being spat on whilst out with family at a local supermarket.[4] Judd, a New Zealand European, labels himself a "recovering racist".[5]
However, Judd gained the admiration and recognition of notable political figures, including MP Marama Fox who called for his critics to apologise in a general debate speech before parliament.[6] Support for Judd also flowed on social media, with a Facebook group named "Andrew Judd Fan Club" reaching 10,500 members.[7]
References
- ↑ "Andrew Judd elected mayor of New Plymouth". Taranaki Daily News. Stuff.co.nz. 12 October 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
- ↑ Hannah Lee (6 May 2016). "New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd announces he will not stand for reelection". Taranaki Daily News. Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
- 1 2 3 Taryn Utiger (24 November 2014). "Mayor calls for half Maori councils". Taranaki Daily News. Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
- ↑ "'I had a man dressed in a Nazi uniform come to see me' - New Plymouth mayor won't seek re-election in wake of racial hate". Seven Sharp (ONE NEWS). Television New Zealand. 6 May 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
- ↑ http://morganfoundation.org.nz/andrew-judd-realised-recovering-racist/
- ↑ https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/51HansS_20160511_00001000/fox-marama-general-debate
- ↑ http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/79746939/Support-on-social-media-flows-for-New-Plymouth-mayor