Treaty of Waitangi pulled from wall amid protest over controversial councillor

Thursday, 24 October 2019

A copy of the Treaty of Waitangi was ripped from the wall inside Tauranga City Council chambers wall by protesters ahead of the swearing-in of councillors and new mayor Tenby Powell. 

Tangata whenua representative Hayden Henry and pulled a copy of the treaty down from the wall of council chambers to make a statement against Māori  'being put down on Facebook' by representatives within council. 

His actions followed widespread calls for councillor Andrew Hollis to resign over racist remarks on his social media pages. 

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

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Race relations commissioner Meng Foon called on Hollis to resign 

As a former Mayor of Gisborne Foon says Hollis' views put him at odds of giving Māori a fair hearing. 

Powell said Hollis' comments could put him in a compromised position heading into debates involving iwi. 

Hollis said in his opening statement as a councillor he will speak his mind.

'There are those that have tried to shut my voice down, some are doing it now,' he said as hecklers told him to sit down. 

'The overwhelming support I have had has convinced me to stand my ground. 

'I have learned people are unhappy with the status quo and I have a great deal of rough edges to knock off.'

Powell said in his opening address as mayor it was time for Tauranga come together and for the new council to define leadership in Tauranga. 

He simply said, 'Let's get to work'.

The first meeting for the new council will be held on November 5.