Rally supports Gisborne councillor who spoke out against racism

A rally's about to get under way in Gisborne to protest against how the city council dealt with a complaint of racism levelled by one councillor against another. Meredith Akuhata-Brown says she heard another councillor saying it was a pity more Māori weren't killed when James Cook arrived in 1769. The councillor denied saying that but a disciplinary process began - not against the councillor, but against Ms Akuhata-Brown for breaking the council's code of conduct, which forbids councillors criticising the council or councillors. Tina Ngata supported Ms Akuhata-Brown through the process and has organised the rally.