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There was an unexpected treat in store today for shoppers in Oneroa when former mayor John Banks exploded in the street outside the Oneroa Fish and Chip Shop. Banks was visiting Waiheke in order to negotiate for the ownership of the Waiheke Week in preparation for his 2008 mayoral campaign. Crowds rejoiced at the splendid impromptu show provided for them, and traffic in Oneroa was at a standstill for almost two hours. “This is even better than the Santa Parade!” said a passing 7-year-old who did not wish to be named. Council compliance officer William Manky was less impressed. “I doubt he had a permit for this explosion, and he has clearly not arranged for anyone to clean up the mess.” However, council officials, keen to present their caring side to Waiheke residents after the latest rates debacle, sprang quickly into action despite the lack of essential paperwork. A top clean-up team, subcontracted from a specialist firm in Switzerland, are heading for downtown Oneroa at a cost of only $2.3 million to the ratepayer. They are expected to be here within 6 months. “Or maybe even sooner, if Michelle Boag loans us her helicopter” says Mr Manky.•
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