Race relations commissioner calls for Tauranga councillor to resign

Monday, 21 October 2019

Tauranga Councillor Andrew Hollis has come under fire for comments made during his election campaign

Not a single Māori candidate made it onto Tauranga City Council but one who suggested burning the Treaty of Waitangi and to 'stop the iwi gravy train' won with a vast majority.

Andrew Hollis made disparaging comments about the Treaty of Waitangi and the actions of Māori throughout his campaign.

One of Andrew Hollis' comments which has landed him in hot water with Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon

Hollis called the Treaty 'past its use-by date' and 'a joke' and labelled Ihumatao protesters land grabbers.

Now, before the councillor is even sworn in, Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon is calling for his resignation and mayor-elect Tenby Powell is considering if the councillor is compromised.

Race relations commissioner Meng Foon has called for Hollis' resignation.

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Foon says Māori are on no 'gravy train'.

'They are claiming what is rightfully theirs and they are only getting less than 1 per cent of their land back,' he said.

'Māori were the first people of our country, and the Crown invaded Māori 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 Foon says Hollis' views put him at odds of giving Māori a fair hearing.

'Unfortunately, Mr Hollis has taken this stance because Māori contribute a huge amount to the culture and economic wellbeing of Tauranga,' he said.

Māori and the residents of Tauranga deserve to have elected leaders who encourage harmonious relationships instead of disparaging tangata whenua.'

Hollis saw 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 said.

'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.'

Mayor-elect Tenby Powell said he was disappointed with Hollis' comments ahead of councillors being sworn in.

'We are a city divided and it is time to come together as a community to heal,' he said.

'What worries me is something like this creates fresh wounds that need more healing.

'We will have to manage the various conflicts that come up given he has stated his views. From a conscious vote level he will be arriving into a debate with predetermined views about iwi so there will be a conflict of interest raised.'

Powell said he does not have an opinion on whether Hollis should resign but says there is a process that can be worked through.

'I'm disappointed we are at this juncture so early but it's something we're going to have to work through with Andrew,' he said.

'There's an opportunity for Andrew to grow from this with.'