Taranaki regional councillors Neil Walker and Donald McIntyre. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Councillors involved in quashing debate over the Treaty Principles Bill at the Taranaki Regional Council have received a dressing down at a fiery meeting in Stratford.
Council was considering a report which found councillors colluded not to make a submission on the bill and halt debate.
New Plymouth District Councillor Dinnie Moeahu - whose deputation was shunted down the agenda in December - addressed council today in front of whanau and supporters.
"What unfolded that day was absolutely disgusting and shameful. I witnessed some elected members bully their way to getting what they wanted.
"And now your conduct has been extensively investigated, documented, reviewed and condemned and made public for the world to see."
Dinnie Moeahu. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
He said what happened was not just a breach of process, but a breach of trust and the fundamental democratic and cultural responsibilities the TRC was obligated to uphold.
Moeahu said a submission prepared by TRC which expressed concern about the Treaty Principles Bill was abruptly dismissed without discussion.
"Let's not mince words that was not governance, that was cowardice hiding behind collusion."
He said the offending councillors attempt to brush-off their actions as a miscommunication didn't wash with him.
"I was met with contempt, I was made to feel less."
Moeahu said the TRC had statuary obligations to take the Treaty of Waitangi into account and it had partnering with Māori explicitly enshrined as a strategic priority in its long-term plan.
The Moeahu whanau perfom a haka at the conclusion of Peter Moeahu's deputation. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
"This isn't a training issue. It's an absolute failure in governance. When elected members treat Treaty matters as too political or not appropriate you betray your role."
He hoped the point of reckoning the report represented could be a turning point for the TRC.
"Leadership is a privilege you have been afforded... do better Taranaki Regional Council."
Dinnie Moeahu's father Peter - an iwi appointee to the council's Policy and Planning Committee - also made a deputation and took aim at councillors by name.
"People who spout democracy but connive behind closed doors to suppress it.
"People like councillor (Tom) Cloke, councillor Donald McIntrye and councillor (Neil) Walker who used their privilege position to bully the regional council chair and chief executive into submission at the December 10 meeting."
Peter Moeahu said whether the councillors adopted the report or not he would not trust them or forgive them for how they treated his son.
He called on them to withdraw from the local government elections.
"Our community deserves better, our community deserves people who are open-minded, environmentally focussed ... and willing to have a meaningful and open relationship with hapū, iwi and manuwhenua.
"My recommendation? Withdraw from the ballot."
At the closing of his deputation, the Moeahu whānau performed an impassioned haka.
Council chief executive Steve Ruru then spoke briefly to the report which he authored.
He reminded the council of its findings that the Treaty Principles Bill was relevant to TRC business and to make a submission and debate it appropriately.
"One of the big learnings coming out of this is that process issue again which is highlighted in there and obviously there are a range of recommendations made."
Taranaki regional councillors Bonita Bingham, Susan Hughes and Tom Cloke. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Taranaki Māori Constituency councillor Bonita Bingham believed council had underestimated "the impact of the trampling of our mana" events of December had for Māori.
"I really thank Peter and Dinnie for their kōrero today because their words expressed what many of us are feeling.
"I would like all councillors to deeply reflect on the actions and collusion and predetermination that lead to the decision on December 10.
"This was no miscommunication this was a deliberate attempt to squash our voice."
After sitting in stoney silence Donald McIntyre was the only one of the three councillors directly under fire to speak during the meeting.
"Obviously I've upset some people with my actions and I'm sorry they feel aggrieved."
McIntyre acknowledge that it was correct the Treaty Principles Bill submission was on the December agenda.
But he said if Dinnie Moeahu being shunted down the agenda was a problem someone should have raised it at the time.
"I have yet to see any reference of standing orders being breached and like I say if they were they weren't highlighted at the time."
McIntyre believed the procedures used on the day were appropriate and democratic because they were all voted on in an open meeting.
"Morally we may have been better to have discussed the item that is probably something we can reflect on in the future, but I still stand by the decision we made at the time."
McIntyre said iwi council relations had not been set back significantly "there hasn't been a good relationship in the first instance".
Dinnie Moeahu directs his ire at regional councillors Neil Walker and Donald McIntyre. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
That fired up councillor Susan Hughes.
"I find it extraordinary that you are sitting here today trying to justify what wasn't in fact and never could be justified.
"You set out to exclude myself and councillor Bingham from being involved in any of this. That was the plan and that was the plan that was executed.
"You undermined the integrity of this organisation by behaving as you did."
Council voted to adopt the report and all its recommendations with McIntyre voting against the motion.
Following the meeting, Walker said he would not be withdrawing from the local government elections in October.
"I think we're done with this. We've done our thing and we'd like to draw a conclusion over it and put it aside."
He denied any collusion had ever occurred.
"As far as I'm concerned there was no meetings or any of those things. There was discussion at meetings like today but not meetings."
Walker was not inclined to apologise.
"What for?"
Cloke declined to comment on whether he would pull out of the election race.
McIntyre was not standing for re-election.
He accepted councillors had colluded ahead of the December meeting.
"What's new about that? Of course we did, like I say, when we elect a chairman we collude before the meeting, is there something wrong with that."
McIntyre made an apology of sorts.
"I apologise to Bonita (Bingham) and Susan (Hughes) for not discussing it (the submission) but I have not further grounds to apologise."
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