Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz

Auckland City has had a turbulent start to the new triennium, with revelations about Mayor Len Brown overshadowing the important task of building a new council. Then we have John Banks, a former Auckland Mayor, resigning from being a government Minister because of the Auckland District Court decision to send him to trial over a claim he falsified his official return on election donations. Is it any wonder, I ask myself, that politicians rank 46^th on the list of New Zealand's most trusted professions for 2013?

I'm not making judgements on either of these instances, because I don't know all of the facts and it really isn't any of my business. But they join a long line of people in positions of responsibility in governance, who have cast a shadow on the majority, who do hold high standards of ethical behavior. Honesty and ethical behaviour are cornerstones of good governance; and any suggestion they are lacking these values erodes trust. It also is punished and given high prominence in the media, because the spice and drama makes for interesting reading. It is hard enough in local government to earn the respect of the general public, because of our bureaucratic ways, without aspersions on our honesty.

So let's forego the drama and get on with doing the work of governing in a professional manner.

If you have any views on this or any other issue, please email me at: neesj@xtra.co.nz or ring me on 07 579 5150.