Mayor Bob Harvey is refusing to swear in the winner of the New Lynn Community Board by-election because of the candidate’s previous conviction for domestic violence.

Wayne Davis won the seat by being elected by the people.

But Bob Harvey says “This city is running a campaign that says domestic violence is not Okay. So we are not going there. He can be sworn in by Jack the Ripper for all I care. Or he can go and get a JP”.

Mr. Davies is no stranger to politics and was deputy chairman of the Henderson Board in 2003 when he appeared in court on DV charges. He was sentenced to 100 hours community service after pleading guilty to 3 charges of DV and 2 charges of breaching a protection order.

Judge Phil Gittos said none of the assaults were particularly major but warned Mr Davis that he could face imprisonment if he re offended.

Mr Davis stood down as deputy but stayed on the board till 2004 elections when he was voted out.

Mayor Bob Harvey fronts the Family Violence – It’s not OK advertising campaign. Something like this would not be good for his image or for his future political career. After all, Waitakere has the most police in it’s DV unit in the country and the worst National record. Even though it has the best feminists and male socialists working along side him.

Mr. Davis has remarried since his court appearance and says life has never been better. “This is petty politics. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter who swears me in. I have been elected by the people. They put me there and I am rapt”.

Reference: Western Leader, Thursday March 13, 2008, Front page.
Author: Stephen Forbes