2020: The John Boddy Problem
July 1, 2025
By AHNZ
In 23 June, 2020, Councillor John Boddy made a comment during a meeting of the Taupo District Council in praise of debt reduction.
“But, I’m also going to be the Nigger in the Woodpile…sorry, the Elephant in the Room…” he said.
Despite immediate correction and apology Boddy was censured by Mayor David Trewavas and the media.
Boddy and his family then “suffered public humiliation and negative effects and that further negative publicity would follow.”
Next, a troika consisting of Deputy Mayor Christine Rankin and 2 other councillors officially censured him. Waiting 60 days for this “trial” was worse than the crunch itself, Boddy said (“unbearable.”)
The Low Rates Crusader, Boddy, did not run in the 2022 local elections.
Boddy was also a prominent voice against the pretense of doing away with the old Taupo District Council offices. The new, palatial ones, “He Whare Hono ō Tūwharetoa” opened on 6 March, 2025, is owned by Te Whare Hono ō Tūwharetoa Limited Partnership. Taupo District Council and local iwi Ngāti Tūwharetoa are now under the same roof. Ref. Waikato Herald (2025)
For this to happen there needed to be something very wrong with the old council buildings. Our go-to thing in the 2020s is that it’s not “earthquake safe” or that there is “risk of exposure to asbestos inside the workplace.” They went with door number 2. But Boddy wasn’t having it: “Councillor John Boddy requested air quality tests to prove staff are at risk..” Ref. Councillor John Boddy’s bid to delay Taupo District Council move rejected, Waikato Times (2017)
The Councillor was evidently confused about who was in charge of the council though! “Chief executive Gareth Green said the decision on whether to leave the building or not was his decision, not councillors’. “Regardless of your ultimate decision of what you do with this building, staff have to leave this building,” he said.
“..the first bill that was before statutes revision when I was changed to that committee was matrimonial property and I became a bit of a nigger in a woodpile on that one.” – Marilyn Waring (1979,) 1979: Nigger In A Woodpile, AHNZ
“I think it is vindictive because he’s the only guy that stands up for things in my opinion,” said Paul Henson. “It was a waste of lawyers’ time, and everybody’s time. He made a genuine apology at the time, what was the point of all this?” – Stuff (2020)
Taupo doesn’t have a John Boddy problem anymore. The new Politically Correct culture of diversity and inclusion and tolerance has made sure of that! Better yet, by leaving a smoking crater where John once stood it sends a clear message to anyone else who might dare to be a voice for people who think as he does. Those who wanted to keep rates down or question the un-elected tier of government or test for asbestos via self-reporting on induced cortisol are outta here.
Another reminder that our government isn’t working. At least, not for us. The State is unchecked and without rules. If we don’t turn to Anarkiwi we’ll go bust.
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Image ref. John Boddy in 2017, Taupo Times
2 thoughts on "2020: The John Boddy Problem"
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In 1970-80 I was in a small country town, many locals had some Maori connection, there was no them or us feeling, everyone was a “kiwi” first. I worked with Fairy, his twin brother was Darky.Also another man was named Darky. Also maybe two “Nigs” A workmate Gavin who did not appear Maori would loudly greet thus “Gidday blackarse”, in the Pub, to some others possibly his rellies. Different times, everyone worked at full time jobs, no gangs, never saw a fight in the pub, I went almost every day as I could afford it.
Sounds like Boomers’ new way of looking at things hadn’t taken at that point.