Why would an allegedly intelligent group of new city councillors throw democracy out the window at last month’s council meeting by agreeing to appoint unelected Māori to three council committees?

Most people had high hopes for this new council, but few would have expected them to trash democracy as they did this week.

Only three councillors – Steve Morris, Glen Crowther and Marten Rozeboom – were brave enough to ignore the aggressive taunts coming from the many Maori who packed the public gallery, and vote ‘No’. Only one brave European woman was present, and she reported she was ashamed of the spectators’ behaviour.

In my opinion, we need reform of Local Government in this sub region but who would want to merge with that lot given their lack of respect for democracy? One member even blamed the way he voted on what he called our dreadful colonial past, as if trashing democracy could make amends for that. 

Margaret Murray-Benge, Bethlehem