Western Bay of Plenty councillor Christina Humphreys resigns after humiliating experience, prompts byelection
28 Jan, 2021 05:00 PM
5 minutes to read
Christina Humphreys has resigned from her role as a Western Bay of Plenty District councillor after a tumultuous year. Photo / George Novak
A Western Bay of Plenty byelection will now be held to fill the role of outgoing councillor Christina Humphreys who describes her past 15 months in the role as a humiliating and depressing experience . Humphreys resigned on Wednesday, stating her health had become negatively affected by the stresses of the position.
Humphreys was elected in October 2019 after receiving 1686 votes for the Katikati Waihi Beach ward. She was elected alongside fellow councillors James Denyer (2255 votes) and Anne Henry (1491 votes).
Chris Skelton/Stuff
Ōpōtiki councillor Louis Rapihana says he will withdraw a letter he sent to Meng Foon, Race Relations Commissioner (pictured)
A Maori councillor is withdrawing his complaint to the Race Relations Commissioner over an “insulting” Grey Power newsletter ahead of a meeting with its author. Ōpōtiki District councillor Louis Rapihana submitted a complaint to the Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon about the newsletter in which Siva Panadam suggested Mr Rapihana could not speak English after he gave a closing karakia in te reo Māori at a meeting late last year. However, he is now withdrawing that complaint after hearing through mutual friend, and Bay of Plenty regional councillor Toi Kai Rākau Iti, that Ms Panadam had stepped back from her comments and now wanted to meet in person to come to a resolution together.
Ōpōtiki councillor will withdraw Race Relations complaint
22 Jan, 2021 01:00 AM
4 minutes to read Councillor Louis Rapihana. Photo / File
Rotorua Daily Post
By: Charlotte Jones, Local Democracy Reporter
A Māori councillor is withdrawing his complaint to the Race Relations Commissioner over an insulting Grey Power newsletter ahead of a meeting with its author.
Ōpōtiki district councillor Louis Rapihana submitted a complaint to Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon about the newsletter in which Whakatāne Grey Power committee member Siva Panadam suggested Rapihana could not speak English after he gave a closing karakia in te reo Māori at a meeting late last year.
Ōpōtiki councillor to complain to Race Relations Commissioner over Grey Power newsletter
20 Jan, 2021 06:22 AM
5 minutes to read
Councillor Louis Rapihana. Photo / File
Rotorua Daily Post
By: Charlotte Jones, Local Democracy Reporter
A councillor says he will complain to the Race Relations Commissioner after his use of te reo Māori while saying a karakia at a Grey Power meeting was labelled an insult .
Ōpōtiki councillor Louis Rapihana said he was angry with comments in a newsletter circulated after the Whakatāne Grey Power meeting he spoke at late last year. I will be taking it further … I will be sending a complaint to Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon, he said.
A councillor will take a complaint to the Race Relations Commissioner after his use of the Māori language to perform a karakia at a Grey Power meeting was labelled an insult .
Louis Rapihana
Photo: FACEBOOK
Ōpōtiki councillor Louis Rapihana said he was angry with comments in a newsletter circulated following the Whakatāne Grey Power meeting he spoke at late last year. I will be taking it further. I will be sending a complaint to Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon, Rapihana said.
In the newsletter, Grey Power member Siva Panadam apologised to attendees saying she had no idea Louis Rapihana did not speak English .