7 January 2020

Media: Rotorua-based NZME Local Democracy reporter

Topic: Claims regarding Mayoral appointments of elected members

Enquiry

In a press release Councillor Reynold Macpherson has made these claims:

"To illustrate, when I recently contested the Annual Report's definition of rates affordability, because it lacks any reference to ratepayers' ability to afford rates, senior officials cancelled an offer to review the matter off-line and told on me' to the Mayor for violating the elected representatives' Code of Conduct. The Mayor declared that a violation had occurred and called me to a meeting with her Deputy. When I questioned her premature judgement and refused to attend, a threatening letter was issued, and the matter was then dropped. The policy issue of rates affordability remains unresolved. It confirmed to me how troubled and wary authoritarians become when the legitimacy of their political ideology and key policies are critically evaluated."

• Can the council please confirm a code of conduct complaint was made against Councillor Macpherson?
• What was the reason for the violation - i.e. what was it specifically in regards to and what part of the code of conduct did he allegedly violate?
• Was it a formal complaint or an informal discussion (as per the RLC Code of Conduct 2019-2022?)
• Does the council agree with Macpherson as to the reasons given above - was it to do with his questioning of the annual report's definition of rates affordability, or is this incorrect?
• Can the council provide any other context or clarification around the discussion of rates affordability and the annual report?
• Who made the complaint? If you cannot provide the name or role of the person or persons, can you confirm or deny it was "senior officials" as alleged by Macpherson?

For your information: I am also contacting the Mayor and Deputy Mayor regarding this - so I realise there may be some crossover, but I would like to ask these things of both the council and elected officials involved.

Response

From Mayor Steve Chadwick:

It is my role as mayor to build a positive team to take our district forward, based on the direction that has been set and that is what I am doing with regard to elected member appointments.

It is also my role to ensure councillors are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities, processes, expectations relating to their conduct and local government legislation.

Both prior to and since the elected members' code of conduct for this Council term was adopted, issues of process have been made very clear to Cr Macpherson but he appears to still be confused.

I am currently dealing with a formal Code of Conduct complaint regarding Cr Macpherson which I received shortly before Christmas.

I haven't yet had the opportunity to discuss it with him and won't be discussing it through the media. That's not the appropriate way to deal with such matters.

Neither the complaint nor a meeting I requested with him in November, to which he refers in his press release, are about or related to Cr Macpherson questioning the definition of rates affordability in the annual report.

From Acting CE Craig Tiriana:

There has been no Code of Conduct complaint made by staff regarding Cr Macpherson's questioning of the annual report's definition of rates affordability.

Code of Conduct complaints about elected members are referred to and dealt with by the mayor and questions about any such complaints should be referred to the mayor.

Information rather than part of the above comments:

Regarding your question about providing context or clarification around the discussion of rates affordability and the annual report, Cr Macpherson raised the matter of rates affordability during the 12 December 2019 Full Council meeting agenda item relating to the adoption of the 2018/19 Annual Report. You can view the recording from that livestreamed meeting via THIS LINK on Council's website to assist with your understanding and provide context. We could assist in finding the exact timing of the Annual Report item if you wish to view the recording.

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Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Smokefree health initiatives

Enquiry

I was wanting to get some comment from the mayor in regards to some health initiatives that are being promoted around stopping smoking. I understand Mayor Chadwick was instrumental in many of the law changes regarding smoking.

Do you think it is achievable that NZ will become Smokefree by 2025 and why?

Why did you initially take up your stance against smoking?

Do you agree or disagree with the yearly price hikes which some people say are affecting the poorest people in our community who can least afford it?

Do you think the strategy of reducing the number of retail outlets is a good initiative and why?

And in your view is the government spending enough supporting and helping people to quit smoking?

Response

From Steve Chadwick:

Most of the questions you have asked are ones you should be asking Ministers.

I took on the Smokefree Environments legislation because as a health practitioner I had seen for many years the effects of smoking on the health of babies and adults.

The big concern I now have is that I think the great gains made by the legislation are being rapidly diminished by the allowing of vaping. Many teens, as well as adults, appear to consider vaping to be a safe and healthy long-term option and I have personally contacted the Minister of Health to express my concern.