In a move that is igniting debate, the Mount Maunganui Community Hall committee has come under criticism after granting permission for what may be a highly contentious series of meetings to be held within their premises over the next three days.

'We're not taking sides, we're just a venue,” says Mount Community Hall and Mount Maunganui Senior Citizens Association president Nick Horton.

Controversial anti co-governance advocate Julian Batchelor, who has been taking his roadshow across the country, has been consistently met with protests, like in Levin, when a meeting was canned after clashes with protesters, who accused organisers of only excluding Māori.

The decision by the hall committee, which has disappointed some of the local community and raised concerns about the potential repercussions of hosting such a polarising event, is also reigniting long-standing concerns regarding the boundaries of free speech, civic responsibility, and the role of public spaces in fostering healthy dialogue.

Tauranga Moana kaumatua Buddy Mikaere says he is very disappointed at the decision by the Mount Maunganui Community Hall committee to allow their premises to be used by Julian, for three meetings from Friday, July 7, to Sunday, July 9.

Buddy has whakapapa links to all the Tauranga iwi but identifies most closely with Ngati Pukenga and the Ngai Tamarawaho hapu of Ngati Ranginui.

'Firstly, I disagree with the whole premise of these meetings; which is that through a so-called Maori elite, co-governance will allow Maori to take over the running of the country and for that reason it needs to be stopped,” says Buddy.

'My view is that while I accept that a better term than co-governance could have been found, like co-management for example, co-governance as I see it is simply putting into effect the principle of partnership as envisaged by the Treaty of Waitangi.”

Buddy says probably the best example of co-governance already in effect is found in the Local Government Act.

'Where Parts 2 and 6 [of the Act] require councils to establish and maintain opportunities for Māori to contribute to decision-making processes, consider ways in which they can foster the development of Māori capacity to contribute to decision-making processes, and provide relevant information to Māori. Important decisions about land or water bodies must take into account the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions.”

Buddy says here, in the Bay of Plenty our local bodies have to a certain extent, led the way.

'Bay of Plenty Regional Council for example was among the first in the country to establish Maori wards; and one of the last sensible decisions of the last Tauranga City Council was to provide for a Maori ward at the next local body elections.”

'Some people say this is just the exercise of free speech. Well, just substitute the word Jew for Maori in the anti-Co-governance diatribe and see where that gets you. Yes there is free speech, but it comes with responsibilities and consequences.

'Why I am upset by the Mount Community Hall Committee decision is that going on other Julian Bachelor meetings – a recent one in Blenheim for example - Maori with opposing views will be denied entry to these so-called 'public meetings”,” says Buddy.

A Havelock North meeting was cancelled after the venue said "no amount of security could control the level of noise or protest activity expected".

'So, what we have is a community facility designed for community activities, allowing use of its premises for an event that denies entry to members of that community based solely on race,” says Buddy.

'How can that possibly fit within their constitution or whatever it is that they operate under?

'As someone brought up in Mount Maunganui – and who has former school mates on that committee, I am embarrassed and ashamed. This does not reflect the Mount Maunganui community that I grew up in”.

Hall committee president Nick Horton says ultimately it's not the job of the committee to censure who says what.

'The official line from the Mount Community Hall committee is that we are completely and utterly political neutral.

'We're aware that the gentleman that has hired the hall for the weekend is discussing a highly controversial topic.

'Our community hall is open to anyone who wants to hire it as long as the activities are not illegal or pose any danger to life or property. '

Nick says he has been told there may be a protest mounted on Friday.

Protesters outside the Stop Co-Governance tour run by Julian Batchelor in Nelson. Photo: Stuff / Braden Fastier.

'We have already been contacted by a member of the public who is organising a counter protest and have had open dialogue with him and been assured that the counter protest will be peaceful and respectful.”

Nick says they have informed police of the meeting.

'Although some have called for this meeting to be closed down, we wouldn't close down the meeting for the other side of the debate just as we wouldn't for this side of the debate as we are politically neutral.”

A previous Stop Co-Governance roadshow meeting was held at a secret location in Tauranga in April following an initial booking of a council-owned venue. At the time Tauranga City Council corporate services general manager Alastair McNeil said the council had received emails from people voicing their disappointment and concerns about safety.

'The beliefs expressed by the Stop Co-governance campaign do not align with the community outcomes we are seeking to achieve and suspect the general anti co-governance rhetoric is offensive to many in our community,” says Alastair.

A petition against the tour, started by Kaipara councillor Ihapera Paniora has more than 7000 signatures, alleging that Batchelor's tour is inciting racial disharmony as defined by sections 61 and 131 of the Human Rights Act 1993.

Advocacy organisation, Aotearoa Liberation Group, run by Pere and Samah Huriwai-Seger, has encouraged peaceful protests at previous meetings, saying the tour is a 'thinly veiled vehicle to spread racist propaganda”.

Local Democracy reporting have reported that the Human Rights Commission has received complaints about the tour.

Back at Mount Maunganui, Nick says he is a freedom of speech advocate.

'And as much as I don't like what he's saying I defend his right to say it.

'If we were to cancel every meeting that had a contentious issue then everybody loses because no-one gets to have any respectful debate and no one can make any informed decisions.”

'If you don't like it then don't come,” says a Mount Maunganui Community Hall committee member.

Buddy says that if the meeting goes ahead, he and 'many other like-minded citizens” will be there to make sure Julian knows that he and his views are not welcome.

'We put a stop to the Hobson's Pledge nonsense when it raised its ugly little head here in Tauranga and we will do the same with this nonsense.”