Federated Farmers circulated the following set of questions to all candidates standing for the Timaru District Council. With around half of the expected votes already cast, the candidate responses will likely have little impact on the election outcome. However, it still represented an excellent opportunity to engage with one of the regions most outspoken and influential interest groups. The questions and my response are as follows: More...

Here's the speech that I presented to residents of the Margaret Wilson Rest Home today:

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for inviting me speak today.

For those of you who don't know me, name is Andrew McMillan and I'm standing for the positions of Mayor and Councillor on the Timaru District Council. I am prepared to work with everyone, both young and old, to advance democracy, a healthy District and a change in fiscal direction. More...

Squeaky Wheel is a group that is dedicated to promoting cycling and cyclists views throughout South Canterbury. As part of the Local Body elections, they sent out a questionnaire to all candidates to canvass their views. Here's my response to their questions:

I'd like to thank Squeaky Wheel for giving me this opportunity to put forward my views on the role of active transport within the Timaru District. I am aware of some of the initiatives and submissions that Squeaky Wheel has carried out in the past and I am fully supportive of the group's goals. More...

Here's my Mayoral and Timaru Ward profiles that appeared in the Timaru Herald on Saturday and Monday respectively:

Mayoral Profile

I'm delighted to have the opportunity to put forward my case for taking on the position of Mayor.

My primary vision is to get Council spending and the resultant debt under control. This is done by more robust long term planning. The Office of the Auditor General's recent review of Long Term Council Community Plans showed the Timaru District’s plan was deficient in terms of inflation adjustment and incomplete supplementary information. Only four councils, including the Timaru District, received adverse opinions that were carried forward to their final report. I want to ensure that long term planning becomes a priority as this should be the primary driver for capital investment. More...

This ad was run in the election pull-out in today's Timaru Courier:

Mission Statement

My name is Andrew McMillan and I’m standing for Mayor of the Timaru District Council. This is my first time standing and you might think it’s a bit cheeky to be standing for the top job. I have put a lot of time and energy into preparing my campaign and I’m up for the job. I would be very proud to represent you as Mayor.

My policy is in clear contrast to the direction that the outgoing Council has set and I am prepared to work with everyone to advance democracy, a healthy District and a change in fiscal direction. More...

The Rangitata Party Votes for the 2008 election saw a continued decline for Labour and New Zealand First, while the Green Party held its ground and the National Party built upon it’s 2005 resurgence.

Note that the Rangitata electorate was only formed in 2008. Previously, there were the Aoraki and Rakaia electorates. Data from previous elections booths that now lie within Rangitata has been used to create the party vote percentages prior to the 2008 election.

The 2005 election saw the National Party surge ahead in the party votes for the Rangitata electorate, pretty much at the expense of all other parties.

It all looks like a publicity stunt to me.

The night previous to the debate, TV3 ran a story about the High Court injunction. In that story they made the point that the set (for filming the debate) was already constructed and they only had six pedestals.

Well low and behold, the next night they've wheeled in another two (identical pedestals) from out the back.

When you look at it, it's very obvious that TV3, United Future, and the Progressives all gained exposure from this. I'm not saying they were all directly involved in the stunt - it looks like TV3 were using them as ratings pawns.

They were even talking about the debate and the court injunction on TVNZ's Breakfast this morning! Scratch one up for Cambo.