Drongos

A leaked message published by the NZ Herald shows the under-fire Auckland Mayor complaining about missing out on playing tennis during the flooding ...

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown remains adamant he's not resigning as a new text message about cancelling tennis because of "media drongos" and the flooding ...

[moving towards New Zealand](https://twitter.com/MetService/status/1620002919277039617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1620002919277039617%7Ctwgr%5Ea4dfb0b062ecae1d876189ed1bb6a9ddd7924abb%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fv.24liveblog.com%2Fiframe%2F%3Fid%3D3240175477126707134). It looks like a lot of schools found out [via the media](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/principals-incredulous-about-school-closure-communication-from-authorities/6AN2PBE7VRBABKBR34V2UANSAI/) and not from the Ministry of Education. [was a result of climate change](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/483338/auckland-weather-disaster-mayor-wayne-brown-admits-hiccups-in-response#:~:text=Brown%20said%20he%20agreed%20that,climate%20change%20affecting%20the%20city.). I hope all parents and carers with kids at kura, in early childhood education and at school have heard this by now and are coping with the news, but schools in the Auckland region are [to remain closed until February 7](https://thespinoff.co.nz/live-updates/30-01-2023/auckland-schools-ordered-to-remain-closed-until-february-7). The warnings span a variety of locations and time frames between today and Wednesday so please [ keep an eye on them](https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home), take care and follow [official advice](https://www.aucklandemergencymanagement.org.nz/major-incident/flooding-2023#updates). [to one rough estimate](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/483345/north-island-floods-may-cost-economy-about-466-million-economist-says). Welch argues [there is a better way to design our cities](https://theconversation.com/auckland-floods-even-stormwater-reform-wont-be-enough-we-need-a-sponge-city-to-avoid-future-disasters-198736). No joy in saying this, but Bulletin readers were [introduced to that concept](https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin/22-08-2022/making-room-for-rivers) after the Nelson floods last August. Mayor Wayne Brown remains [adamant he will not resign](https://thespinoff.co.nz/live-updates/30-01-2023/defiant-brown-says-lessons-to-be-learned-but-im-not-going-to-resign) but has admitted mistakes were made. Here’s the [really good long read](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/07/slow-water-urban-floods-drought-china-sponge-cities) on sponge cities that was included. On Friday morning we were worried about getting to the (subsequently cancelled) Elton John concerts and Wayne Brown’s love of tennis was but a mere quip. Toby Manhire [pens a note to the rain](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/29-01-2023/wayne-brown-pens-strongly-worded-letter-to-the-rain) in the form Brown might be wishing he’d stuck with – the letter.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown is under fire again after text messages have emerged of him despondently being forced to cancel tennis "to deal with media ...

"Anyhow I've got to deal with media drongos over the flooding tomorrow so sadly no tennis for me tomorrow." Messages from a WhatsApp group Brown joined for organising tennis games were obtained by the New Zealand Herald and show Brown telling fellow group members he had to cancel a game on Sunday as he had to "deal with media drongos". Auckland mayor Wayne Brown is under fire again after text messages have emerged of him despondently being forced to cancel tennis "to deal with media drongos over the flooding".

There are fresh questions for Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown over communication with those affected by flooding and slips after a message emerged in which he g.

“It would appear Wayne Brown has forgotten that’s an important role for the media to advocate on behalf of their communities. “We know (Brown’s) understanding of the mayoral role in terms of the media is two dimensional.” That means talking to the media - even if you don’t like them.” Johnston rejected the “unprecedented” event as a barrier to good communications. Professor of Disaster Management Dr David Johnston said the message suggested a “mindset”. Instead of good communication, there was “an absence of anything from anyone”, he said. The tennis group - called The Grumpy Old Men - aims to develop groups of four to play doubles games on Fridays and Sundays. Brown had committed to playing on Sunday then cancelled the night before. Have commissioned a full review including communications and that includes everyone.” Alarm bells would have rung.” Brown responded at 8.24pm: “Bugger. It emerged last week Brown had accepted only two of 108 interview requests during his first month in office.

Wellington: Auckland mayor Wayne Brown texted his friends that he could not play tennis over the weekend because he had to “deal with media drongos” over ...

Beaches around the city of 1.6 million are off limits due to contaminated water, several main roads remain closed, and all Auckland schools will remain shut until Feb. A request to interview Brown on Monday was also declined, although he later held a press conference. Evacuation centres have been set up across the city. “The mayor was having a private conversation,” she said. New Zealand officials on Tuesday asked residents in flood-ravaged Auckland to prepare for the onslaught of another storm as residents start a clean-up following a series of floods and landslips across New Zealand’s biggest city over the weekend. It also comes as New Zealand officials on Tuesday asked residents in flood-ravaged Auckland to prepare for the onslaught of another storm as residents start a clean-up following the floods and landslips across New Zealand’s biggest city over the weekend.