Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Connor Sharp

@connorsharp.bsky.social

370 followers 160 following 890 posts

@cityvision.bsky.social candidate for the Waitematā local board 2025. Authorised by Gwen Shaw 027 414 4074 Also bard of @greaterauckland.bsky.social and #1 light rail fan https://linktr.ee/ConnorSharp

linktr.ee

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · May 9

I love Tāmaki Makaurau.

Which is why I'm excited to be running for the Waitematā Local Board in this year's local election with @cityvision.bsky.social.

I’m in it for more housing, better transport, and a greener city.

I hope you'll join me, to shape our city so that everyone thrives.

Connor Sharp, Waitematā local board candidate for City Vision in the 2025 local elections, standing against the brick wall of Auckland Town Hall. He is smiling, and is wearing glasses and a red shirt. He has his arms crossed and is looking into the camera.

11 52

Reposted by Connor Sharp

Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 2h

Last week I caught up with the grand-daddy of the City Rail Link, the first Auckland Plan, and first City Centre Master Plan. The combined Auckland Council OG Mayor Len Brown. A great deal of good things are now completing that he began. Most important lesson - it all begins with vision:

1 3 16

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 2h

Still time to get your ballots in for the Auckland Local Elections! Although you need to drop them off at drop boxes now!

And if you want positive policies and action, vote City Vision!

4 6

Reposted by Connor Sharp

Greater Auckland @greaterauckland.bsky.social · 17h

“When it comes to our transport choices, whoever is elected to local boards and council seats in Auckland this year matters a LOT more than in the past.”

@connorsharp.bsky.social on how this local election will have an outsized impact on transport, including a “post code lottery” for safer streets.

What this local election means for transport in Auckland - Greater Auckland

Connor Sharp is running for the Waitematā Local Board in this year’s election. On Saturday (pending any close-run races), we’ll learn who will govern our city for the next three years. While the mayor...

www.greaterauckland.org.nz

1 10

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 18h

Unfort there isn't one on Auckland, because the Maori Ward vote lost this past term... however we (City Vision) support Maori Wards and would very much love to try get a referendum for them in 2028 (or just do them sooner if the law changes)

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 19h

Reminder to vote in the Auckland local election, only a few more days to go!

And tell your friends 😀 especially if they want progressive action (then tell em to vote City Vision 😉)

2 2 14

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

As I sit in a bus full of people stuck in traffic, I am once again asking why cars are still allowed on Queen Street

(If you want this to change, vote City Vision in the local election! Only 3 more days left to do so!)

1 1 8

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

Can't say its the same one 100%, but preeeetttty sure this hoarding I found dumped on Williamson Ave might be the one someone stole when they vandalised our hoarding (it also looked like it had been run over)

1 1

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

Already voted? Fantastic! That means you can encourage your friends and family to do it, too!

Be their motivator and reminder to get out and vote. Because together, we have so much power to make sure good things happen.

Remember to VOTE by Saturday, 11th October at noon.

End/🧵

1 6

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

So… why am I posting about this stuff, at this stage in the campaign? Because knowing about it is crucial to ensuring quality governance.

Get informed, and please vote in your local elections. Amazing, lovely progressive people deserve your vote and need your support.

1 5

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

To be clear: most of us in local politics aren’t engaging in or enabling toxic behaviour. I’m heartened that other elected members avoid this, including in C&R. There are lots of good people committed to doing good work, whatever the differences in our visions for the city.

1 3

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

But we can’t stay quiet about the toxic and negative environment being created and enabled by some politicians, people and groups. So don’t just take my word for it – get receipts. Check social media. Do read the comments. Watch recordings of meetings. Note who says what.

1 3

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

Also, many regular people will have had positive interactions or been helped by elected members who are also engaging in this toxic behaviour. They may not know about this other stuff, and might feel repulsed when we quietly point it out (or loudly raise the alarm).

1 3

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

It can be hard to call out this stuff, because candidates and elected members can be quick to fall back on plausible deniability. These are just members of the public – “not my circus, not my monkeys.” Or, they’ll just downplay the level and impact of abuse or vandalism.

Excerpt from a recent post article with Sarah Trotman downplaying Gen Sages claims that Trotman has been bullying her as well as riling up others to attack Sage.

https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360730009/waitemata-bubbles-seething-feud-over-waka-jumping-board-chair

1 3

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

Just one example: this election, City Vision hoardings have been subject to targeted and persistent vandalism. We’ve also had conversations about watching out and avoiding certain people due to their history of using physical actions against things and people. Eg: www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3607...

Stuff article from August outlining vandalism, this has been occurring to City Vision hoardings, and only City Vision Hoardings the entire election (as well as some to Gen Sages hoardings)

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360797675/faces-slashed-signs-smashed-hoarding-vandalism-hits-auckland

1 3

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

This election, the toxic environment created by these people and groups has led to more destructive and costly vandalism…

1 3

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

Even more worrying is that some people also engage in physical destruction. One member of the public is infamous for taking a sledgehammer to a cycleway in 2018.*

www.metromag.co.nz/city-life/ci...

Metro — CYCLEWAY SABOTEURS!

How a small but loud minority delayed an almost universally popular plan to install cycle lanes on Auckland's Great North Rd.

www.metromag.co.nz

1 1 3

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

(This elected member was previously subject to a code of conduct complaint from Council staff, due her behaviour towards them.)
www.stuff.co.nz/national/pol...

1 3

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

The whole local board term, from the very first monthly meeting to the very last, you can see the pattern of relentless abuse in meeting recordings, as well as on social media. And that’s just what’s public.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nJt...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac-J...

Excerpt from this stuff article in 2022 when Gen Sage became the chair, outlining behavior of some in the audience.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/130353957/centreright-loses-prized-control-of-auckland-board-in-dramatic-inaugural-meeting

1 2

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

Obviously politicians or staff shouldn’t be harassed. But nor should elected members engage in harassment. One example: for the last 3 years, one C&R Waitematā Local Board member has waged a relentlessly negative campaign against the chair, who stepped away from C&R at the start of the term.

Waitematā Local Board member Sarah Trotmans post on facebook after a recent Councillor debate held at K'Road, where Trotman lauds Mike Lee but is critical of Gen Sage

On the left is current councillor Mike Lee, on the right is Gen Sage current chair of the Waitematā Local Board - the picture of Gen Sage is purposefully unflattering to encourage abuse which is shown in the next picture

Comments under the facebook post highly critical of Gen Sage, with Trotman agreeing with said comments.

1 3

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

Here are some examples of communications by some of the people being enabled and amplified (one of whom is also running for office). Is this the kind of tone we want? Eccentricity is one thing but verbal abuse is not okay.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GURC...

youtu.be/wJ2aKiyJe80?...

15 July 2025 Recording of Waitematā Local Board Business Meeting Part 1 | Auckland Council

YouTube video by Auckland Council

www.youtube.com

1 5

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

Another concern is when elected members constantly enable and legitimise people whose influence is both outsize and toxic.

Sarah Trotman engaging with Lisa Prager and sharing her abusive article

Excerpt from Lisa Pragers article insulting City Vision members

Sarah Trotman sharing Lisa Pragers article which insults City Vision candidates

1 5

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

Why are some from C&R, engaging with Rock the Vote and their members? Do they believe in the same things, or just want their votes?

Rock The Vote NZ commenting on C&R's Waitematā Local Board campaign launch post, thanking one of the speakers for seemingly acknowledging the group in their speech.

Current Waitematā Local Board member Sarah Trotman thanking Rock The Vote for coming to the launch. Rock The Vote members are regular attendees of local board meetings, and have come to basically all Meet the Candidate events in this years campaign

1 4

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

…and it’s important to look beyond the cutesy name, because Rock the Vote NZ has some pretty cooked views, they support people like Brian Tamaki, they are extremely anti LGBT, are anti vaccine, and support United Nations conspiracy theories

Rock The Vote Facebook post from 14th September sharing Brian Tamaki's post about the Tommy Robinson protest in the UK which states 'Brian Tamaki in London: The Radical Revolution has Begun - The Rise of the Remnant'.

Rock the Vote event to watch the conspiracy documentary 'The Agenda: Their Vision, Your Future' which claims the United Nations Agenda 2030 is a set up for totalitarian control... among other conspiracy nonsense

1 5

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

…in most cases, candidates flirting with extreme views in pursuit of votes is NOT funny. For example, some ostensibly ‘centre right’ candidates from C&R are engaging with (and thus legitimising) conspiracy groups like Rock the Vote NZ…

Jack Tan, current C&R local board member for Albert Eden, commenting in thanks of support from Rock The Vote and agreeing with them saying 'Quite Right, let's apply common sense to the mix'.

Jack Tan likes many of Rock The Votes posts on Facebook.

1 1 5

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

One thing that’s shocked me during this campaign is how willing some candidates are to align with, cosy up to, or actively court those with extreme views – just to get votes. Sometimes it’s amusing (e.g. the wild claim that City Vision is funded by the ‘bike lobby’, lol, show me the money!). But…

1 4