24 July 2024
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Councillor's failed Notice of Motion
Enquiry (for RLC organisation and Mayor Tania Tapsell)
I am writing up on councillor Lani Kereopa's declined intended notice of motion and had some comment for response please. Also sending to the mayor's office as the chair/approving the assessment.
On the reasons why her notice was declined, she said it came down to personal opinion.
“It is their opinion it is not relevant.”
She said she did not know whether it was political, “not wanting to get on the wrong side of the current government”, or if it was based on personal views of settler colonialism and the impacts on indigenous peoples.
Kereopa said she came from a family who protested the Springbok tour - it was the same issue of apartheid, she said.
“Those of us who are calling are trying to stand up on the right side of history.”
Kereopa stood in the Māori ward because it allowed her “to unashamedly stand for Māori and indigenous rights”.
“It is important as a Māori ward representative to stand up for other indigenous nations who are impacted by settler colonialism.”
Kereopa said what shocked her was the declined Mataara Mai petition received 60 letters from local organisations supporting what the motion called for. It received more than 1000 signatures.
“Not even allowing the community to be heard, to speak to that petition, I just think is astounding.”
Mataara Mai's Cassey Thompson said it received an email from the chief executive: "Council cannot approve the inclusion of receiving the petition on its agenda. As described above, Council commend you for the efforts your group are driving and suggest that you send your petition direct to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade".
"We have argued against this decision as the petition has been filed in accordance with the Standing Orders outlined by the Chief Executive himself via email dated 24 June.
"Therefore, under section 17.2 of the Standing Orders (Petition presented by petitioner) we have insisted to be given the opportunity to speak to our petition on behalf of our Rotorua community tomorrow."
"We are being denied our democratic right to present this petition and we won't stay silent."
Response
Mayor Tapsell provided the following comments:
“I strongly disagree with the radical comments made by Councillor Kereopa.
“As has been explained to Councillors and Mataara Mai, their petition and notices of motion have been declined because they unfortunately do not fall within the business and influence of Council.
“This is not a matter of personal views but a matter of what ability Councils have to influence the devastating impacts of international conflict.
“We have considered and responded to their requests, but this is clearly a matter for Central Government.
“We appreciate the importance of what Mataara Mai is trying to achieve and their strong advocacy for the people of Palestine.”
RLC organisation provided the following in response:
We have nothing further to add from what was said in a letter from our Chief Executive Andrew Moraes sent to Mataara Mai, RE: Notice of Motion: Call for a Ceasefire + Petition. We are happy for you to use this as a response to your enquiry and attribute it to him.
In addition we added links to section 17.1 of the Standing Orders and section 10 of the Local Government Act in the letter.
Copy of the email:
Kia ora Mataara Mai
I refer to your email below again requesting that the Mataara Mai petition be received by Council at the Council meeting tomorrow.
Council’s position has not changed and your request for the petition to be received at the Council meeting tomorrow is declined under section 17.1 of the Standing Orders in that the subject matter does not fall within the terms of reference of the Council of the intended meeting.
I also further refer to section 10 of the Local Government Act. This provision applies to the boundaries of the TA and as such, does not apply to happenings outside of Rotorua.
On a personal level, I can sympathize with the tragic happenings in a number of conflict zones around the world. I’ve visited Palestine twice in my life and have also spent time in Syria and lived in Myanmar for a number of years. However, none of these personal experiences allows me to override my obligations to keep Council time and resources focussed on Council business as I see it defined in the LGA and approved by the Mayor and Councillors.
