Stewart had suggested in a Facebook comment that “social media seems to be doing a good job. I would like to thank all the community groups/ grapevine and ratepayer organisations for sharing what’s happening around our community”.
That comment appears to have incensed Burns, who brought the Howick and Pakuranga Times back from the brink of closure in 2024, taking ownership of times.co.nz and now publishing the newspaper under a refreshed masthead, the Eastern Times.
Burns made comments in the staff chat group, the membership of which is understood to have numbered at least 20 people, after another person outlined what Stewart had written.
In a series of messages, Burns wrote: “omg”; “what a f***ing asshole”; and “so basically [she is] saying we don’t need community newspapers”.
She asked one of her journalists, who was also involved in the conversation, “Seriously… can you go comment and [put] her in her f***ing god dam place please”; “someone needs to shoot her down” and “she’s relied on the paper forever f***ing cow”.
The Herald has asterixed the comments.
The journalist responded on the chat: “Yep, we all do not like her. Anyway, only 19 days and she’s out of our lives forever”.
Burns responded: “This is not political, so go slam her”. In another message, she wrote, “f*** her”.
Two days later, Burns referenced a video in the group chat of Stewart speaking to the council. Accompanying that video were comments from Burns: “OMG” and “so embarrassing”.
She also said: “She doesn’t know what the f…. she is saying”, and “she was the most embarrassing speaker”.
Burns apologises
In a statement through her lawyer, Burns – currently the deputy chair of the Howick local board – apologised for the comments.
“I acknowledge that a set of private internal company staff messages were shared externally without consent,” she said.
“These messages were part of a private internal staff communication thread and, if read in isolation, could easily be taken out of context.
“The comments contained in the internal messages were made out of frustration by myself as a community newspaper owner.
“I acknowledge Ms Stewart’s service to the community and years of dedication. I apologise for the language used.
“I passionately believe that our community deserves to have local news coverage that serves their interests. This requires qualified staff (not AI), hard work, dedication and passion for our community. I believe that our community deserves more than just social media to keep them informed, updated and connected.
“As this matter is currently under review, I will not be making any further comment at this time.”
Last year, in an interview with the Herald, Burns outlined why she had rescued the then Howick and Pakuranga Times.
“When I heard last week it had gone into liquidation, I thought I just couldn’t let the legacy go, I love this community. I was sitting there saying, ‘Oh my god, there’s no voice or platform’.
“I thought, I don’t think people actually realise how it’s connected the community, the groups, the community leaders, the schools … everything.”
Stewart responds
Approached for comment yesterday, Sharon Stewart called the group chat comments “particularly nasty”, “really terrible”, and not language that she would ever use.
“Anybody who knows me knows that I don’t like that sort of stuff. I’m really quite upset to see that somebody could even think about talking about me like that because it’s just not my way. It’s just not on.
“As far as I’m concerned, I just want to continue enjoying my retirement with my grandchildren and my husband. I always want to be there for the community and help the community any which way.”
Referring back to her original comment on Facebook, she said social media was a “very important part of our way of life now”.
“I’m all for media – all media is good.”
Elected members of the Auckland Council – including local board members – abide by a code of conduct while acting in their roles.
The code covers myriad topics, including offensive behaviour and harassment. Harassment includes personal insults.
Stewart said she did not plan to make a complaint or take it up with Burns directly.
“All I can say is I want a happy life and to enjoy my retirement. I certainly didn’t expect anything like that.”
In May, the Eastern Times itself marked the news of Stewart’s retirement with a piece about her time on the council.
The story started: “For the last three decades, whenever an east Auckland resident had a problem in their neighbourhood, whether it was a cracked footpath, a dangerous tree, or flooding due to blocked drains, there was one person they knew they could call to get it sorted out – Sharon Stewart.”
Stewart told the Times at the time: “I’ve enjoyed doing it, mainly for the community, and I’ve just been very much a grassroots type of councillor.”
She has represented Howick alongside former MP Maurice Williamson, who is standing again for the council.
“I’m very supportive of Maurice Williamson,” Stewart told the Times in May.
“He’s a superb councillor and one of the better ones I’ve ever worked with in my 30-odd years.”
Stewart has also been supporting another candidate, Barry Jensen, in recent weeks.
Burns standing for council
Bo Burns is standing for re-election as a local board member, but also for a bigger prize – a seat at the full Auckland Council table, representing the Howick ward. It is the role that Stewart has now, alongside Williamson.
Burns has her own website in which she outlines her values as a born, raised and educated local.
Among the principles that she says she stands for are “family and community first”; “core services delivered on time and within budget”, “better, more reliable transport”; “sensible growth”; and “respect for our seniors”.
And on the Vote Auckland website, she says it’s “time for change”.
“Born and raised locally, I know our community’s needs and with over 23 years as a local business owner, my strength is communication, making money, saving money and knowing how to execute plans.”
Voting closes at noon this Saturday for the local body elections; preliminary results – around 80-90% of the vote – will be known later on Saturday.
Sharon Stewart, meanwhile, is leaving the Auckland Council as its longest-serving councillor, after 30 years in public office.
“I particularly want to acknowledge the role Sharon has played in strengthening Auckland’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities since the extreme weather events of early 2023,” Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said last month.
“We will always remember her advocacy for better management of stormwater catchments and streams.”
Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.
