The Councillors have not even been sworn in yet and already the Tauranga bunch are at one another’s throats.
Newly elected Councillor at large, Andrew Hollis has dared to use his free speech to say he thinks the Waitangi Tribunal and treaty cash payouts are past their use-by date.
Now the Mayor says he should resign as does the Race Relations Commissioner.
Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon is calling for his resignation and mayor-elect Tenby Powell is considering if the councillor is compromised.
Meng says Maori are on no “gravy train”.
“They are claiming what is rightfully theirs and they are only getting less than one per cent of their land back.
“Maori were the first people of our country, and the Crown invaded Maori territory, breached the Treaty of Waitangi and took away over 90 per cent of the land.”
Elected members must swear an oath to abide by the Local Government Act, which includes Treaty obligations.
As a former Mayor of Gisborne, Meng says Andrew’s views put him at odds of giving Maori a fair hearing.
“Unfortunately, Mr Hollis has taken this stance because M?ori contribute a huge amount to the culture and economic wellbeing of Tauranga.”
“Maori and the residents of Tauranga deserve to have elected leaders who encourage harmonious relationships instead of disparaging tangata whenua.”
Andrew sees no issue with his opinions that he broadcast on social media, despite one of his key election issues being repairing the Mauao walking track, which will require consultation with iwi.
“I don’t [regret it] even a little bit,” he says.
“It’s just a point of view. People can like it or not like it. It’s up to them. If you don’t want to work with me as a councillor, then there are 10 other councillors you can work with. I’m not going to change my views.”
Sunlive
Presumably, the Facebook post was on Hollis’ page well before the election and people could have read it and not voted him in. Hollis was a newcomer to Local Body politics and yet was the second-highest polling ‘at-large’ candidate. He has a right to free speech and expressed a view. Regardless if others do not like to hear it, he’s still entitled to his views.
Why does Foon think he has the right to overturn a democratic process? Judge, jury and executioner?