Hollis to be banned from council business with iwi

Newly elected Andrew Hollis has been banned from iwi talks. - Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae

The Mayor of Tauranga will ban councillor Andrew Hollis from participating in any council business involving iwi or hapū, following comments he made calling for the Treaty of Waitangi to be burned.

The newly elected Tauranga councillor is already facing calls for his resignation.

While councillor Andrew Hollis was campaigning, he said the Treaty of Waitangi was "past it's use-by-date" and "a joke".

Local iwi leader Buddy Mikaere is a former director of the Waitangi Tribunal and says he wants Andrew to step aside.

"I think that in saying things like, the Treaty is a joke and that it's past its use-by-date and I think in one instance also saying, the Treaty should be burnt, that seems to me to be in direct contradiction of part one of the Local Government Act, and part four and six, where treaty principles are clearly something which councils needed to taking into account.

"So this guy has got a conflict of interest, which seems to me would disqualify him from any participation in any council business that has to do with Māori interests because the whole purpose of those sections of the LGA is to give Māori input into the business of council.

"How can he participate on any reasonable debate on issues such as that?"

Mayor-elect Tenby Powell says he will not tolerate the demonising of certain sectors of society.

"I can categorically tell you there will be no place for racism in our council chambers.

"Andrew has some very strong views on the Treaty of Waitangi and issues around land. The reality is what Andrew has done on Facebook is that he's come out extremely strongly on these issues.

"But Andrew's brand, and that which he was voted in on, I believe, is all around fixing State Highway 2, between Tauranga and Katikati."

Tenby agrees that Andrew should be banned from participating in any issues involving iwi participation.

"I do believe that he's openly conflicted himself and brings a pre-determination to those discussions and our relationships with iwi and hapū, they're particularly important."

Andrew says he sees 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 says.

"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."

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32 comments

Wow

Posted on 23-10-2019 08:04 | By Angels

An honest politician. Breath of fresh air. He has an opinion as do a lot of others. It’s supposed to be a free country. The pc world needs some new direction. Honesty


Learning our history

Posted on 23-10-2019 08:10 | By Pete Morris

Andrew, like many Kiwis, may not have been taught New Zealand history at school. It’s great that NZ history will become a part of the school curriculum soon. In the meantime Andrew could read Michael King’s History of New Zealand as a starting point. I thought our new Mayors handling of this issue on a recent RNZ interview was very sound. Pete Morris.


Well done

Posted on 23-10-2019 09:13 | By Eric Bantona

Well done Tenby. It should be more, he should be relieved from his seat. But this is a start and takes a stance against racists. You’ll see more comments on here from them but they won’t win. They can preach white supremacy and privilege all they like but the majority know that this is unacceptable and cannot be defended under the “freedom of speech” banner. Idiots.


Hold on

Posted on 23-10-2019 09:21 | By Gigilo

The wrong approach is being taken here, consultation with iwi and any reference to the Treaty of Waitangi should be removed from the Local Government Act. If Tenby Powell moves to censure Andrew Hollis he is not fit for purpose for making that decision based on a racial viewpoint. There should be another local election for Mayor called. Also a national referendum would be appropriate to gauge the desires of the WHOLE of our country in the removal of the Treaty of Waitangi references and preferences in the statutes of New Zealand.


Forum

Posted on 23-10-2019 09:45 | By Hugh Janis

I'm all for free speech but Mr Hollis' comment were unprovoked and uncalled for. He must go.


Confirmation

Posted on 23-10-2019 10:37 | By Andrew64

This article confirms two important points for me. The first is Tenby's substance ends with his fancy leather jacket and tassled loafers. The second is what a divisive issue this is. As I see it there are three groups of people; Maori, non-Maori who feel better about themselves for sympathising with Maori, and the rest of us who have had a gutsful of the entire issue. Decades ago I recall Governments talking about full and final treaty claims but still it goes on. The sooner all New Zealanders are treated equally the better. As a non Maori I feel alienated in my own country and I'm tired of it. Enough is enough.


banned

Posted on 23-10-2019 11:17 | By dumbkof2

our new mayor says there is noplace for racism in the new council then goes on to ban this councilor from iwi meetings. If this is not blatent racism i don't know what is


Well Said Andrew

Posted on 23-10-2019 12:08 | By cptn scully

Well said in the first place It is time for and ending of the treaty. No one alive today was there at the time it was signed so should have no say in it any more! By Andrew Hollis At least he has the guts to say what the rest of us actually think! Good on you Andrew Gad I voted for you.


Divisive Already

Posted on 23-10-2019 12:42 | By bigted

I hope this is not a harbinger of the future. Already the new mayor is dividing the councillors and he is not even sworn in yet. Divide and conquer may be the new city strategy?


Treaty

Posted on 23-10-2019 12:52 | By Seagirl

Andrew Hollis only stated what so many New Zealanders are thinking- NOT the burning of the Treaty but the well overdue termination of the neverending Claims that are draining NZ ability to provide needed Health,Education, infrastructure for ALL New Zealanders. These claim were meant to have been finalised some time ago but they still keep coming - Where is the Governments input to the supposed finalization of these claims?


This article wrong

Posted on 23-10-2019 12:55 | By Bob's Uncle

No democratically elected member should be banned from any council business just because he voiced his opinion on a specific subject. Banning Hollis would be tantamount to reversed racism, and will not resolve any of the TCC issues. Media should stop deciding on behalf of elected members / mayor what the outcome / decision should be.


Positive Impact

Posted on 23-10-2019 13:03 | By BVG

I certainly support free speech. I also support any leader who is not afraid to address the PC nonsense that we are currently allowing to grow out of hand in our community. Nitwits with divisive arguments are not helping us on our path to success together as a community. Good to hear our new Mayors view.


calm down.

Posted on 23-10-2019 13:09 | By morepork

Banning Andrew from contact officially with Iwi is a reasonable course of action, for a fixed time period. Give all concerned a chance to calm down. Andrew has been clear about his opinion, but maybe sitting round a table looking at issues might cause both sides of the table to be less sensitive and focus more on what the issues actually are. Are we now going to be governed by what people say on Social Media? It is far better to have a contentious issue out in the open where it can be seen and addressed, than to have conclusions jumped to, based on a Facebook post, or "unpopular" views moved to covert underground meetings. People can change their opinions. It usually happens by dialog, not by suppression.


@Andrew64

Posted on 23-10-2019 13:19 | By morepork

Your ad hominem attack against the Mayor does not help your case, which is actually a fair reflection of what many (maybe even most of us) feel. It is hard NOT to be tired of the whole business, as you say. Most Kiwis want a "fair go" for all, including Maori and other ethnicities, as part of our emerging nation. We COULD be an example to the world that Trump's way is NOT the ONLY way and there are actually better alternatives when people work together. Maybe it isn't "Racism" (based on ethnicity) that is the problem, but rather greed and laziness being rewarded by a non-level playing field, that upsets people. Social Justice can't happen as long as some people get privileges that others don't. It isn't "Racist" to want fairness.


- Really?

Posted on 23-10-2019 13:26 | By jimmyant

From what I can see, Andrews comments are not racist! Nowhere does he attack anyone on race. His comments are that the treaty is no longer relevant in this day and age of racial equality. I can understand his frustration with the delays and stagnating progress with treaty claims. A lot of people are on the gravy train through this whole process. Lets get it sorted and then move on.


Yeah

Posted on 23-10-2019 13:28 | By Lvdw

punish him. Cut his workload. That will teach him... :-|


Andrew64.

Posted on 23-10-2019 13:32 | By R. Bell

As a Pakeha who sympathises with the Maori position I can tell you you are wrong in your characterisation. It has nothing to do with my "feeling better about myself". It is all about justice.You may well be sick of it all, but the process has to be seen through to the end. You as an individual have benefited from the wholesale confiscation of Maori land e.t.c in years gone by. You are mistaken about "full and final "settlements in the past. That term was only ever used by duplicitous governments, not Maori, who knew they were being ripped off. Educate yourself, you won't regret it. Robin Bell.


TOTALLY AGREE with Andrew64

Posted on 23-10-2019 13:43 | By Laurie

As for Pete Morris comments about learning our history it seems you only read of how badly Maori were treated - try reading up on Te Kootis raids at Mohaka & the slaughter of friendly Maori, women & children & the murder of Reverend Volkner at Opotiki. If NZ history is taught then it needs to be factual. If we are to move on as one people then all this special treatment based on skin colour needs to stop.


by the way

Posted on 23-10-2019 14:01 | By terry hall

the people of Tauranga voted for Andrew Hollis to represent them in council by legal vote, it is not for Tenby Powell to decide who sits on council Andrew is an elected member by this country's Electoral law, i think Andrew should take it to Electoral law commission for a ruling


And again

Posted on 23-10-2019 14:09 | By oldman

Hollis has every right to express his thoughts. The Council needs people with diverse opinions and the ability to convey them.


Why ???

Posted on 23-10-2019 14:58 | By GWHtpt

So his voice is different to what this Jacinda nation wants to hear. Surely we are allowed different opinions that the whole point of a discussion isn’t it. End of the day maybe we could just start treating everyone fairly and look to the future. Yeah our past ain’t pretty but we have to move forward at some stage.


Hollis already a disappointment

Posted on 23-10-2019 15:31 | By Sollygirl

I was disappointed by Andrew Hollis' election to Council because he is a climate denier and it is worrying enough that he disagrees with the evidence of hundreds of climate scientists who are better informed on the science than him. But now it comes to light that Hollis has made highly critical statements of the Treaty of Waitangi. Maori can only be offended by his statements which basically dismiss the legal protections and rights the Treaty affords them. How can an elected councillor claim to represent all Tauranga residents on the one hand, yet speak like this about tangata whenua on the other?He must resign, he has refused to withdraw or apologise for his words, so it would be dishonest and hypocritical for him to take the oath as an elected councillor tomorrow.


Overit

Posted on 23-10-2019 15:48 | By overit

Andrew64 you are not allowed to talk like that anymore.


Hollis

Posted on 23-10-2019 16:24 | By David of Brookfield

The rednecks are out in full force!- shame on you all! Tenby Powell is absolutely correct in taking that action. All Treaty claims have been considered carefully by esteemed and qualified persons and massive effort has been made to redress wrongs as fairly and as transparently as possible. We should all be extremely proud of what has been achieved. There will always be ignorance on both sides of any argument, any anyone as prejudiced and ignorant as Mr Hollis needs to be sidelined. Hollis was careful not to air his prejudices in the spiel attached to the voting guide. How deceitful is that?


A Racist Mayor

Posted on 23-10-2019 16:47 | By spencerb

It seems if you don't agree with the new mayor your opinion will be excluded from council business. Andrew Hollis is not racist, quite the opposite because he wants to exclude a racially divisive element from council discussions. Iwi is entitled to have their say but so is everyone else. How dare the Mayor ban Andrew from representing the views of the majority of ratepayers who voted for him.


Double Standards

Posted on 23-10-2019 19:07 | By AKS

As the article pointed out, he was open about this during his campaign, but was still elected. So obviously this result is the voice of the people who voted (not saying I do or don't support him). If people have an issue with him, then maybe more than 40% of people should have put their two cents in when it counted. On top of that, there were plenty of Maori candidates who were saying the only things they cared about were Maori issues, and some who were even blatantly racist in their campaign. So what's the difference between the two? Why were either allowed to run? Would people rather that he hid his personal views just for them to come to light when he has long since been sworn in?


Fare representation for the people

Posted on 23-10-2019 19:44 | By pgrovesnz

For a fare council, the councillors need to represent the view of the people who vote. He will be a minority in the council and is unlikely to make any difference to how the council is run. Being opposed to the treaty isn't racist and as long as he doesn't become 'racist' let him do his job by representing the people who voted for him. In my opinion it is racist to oppose his view on the treaty and not to let him serve. Councils need to tolerate different views, no matter what they are within the laws of our country! This is how we can treat everyone fairly and see everyone's views even if you don't like them.


The facts

Posted on 23-10-2019 22:37 | By Old Bloke

Perhasp we should all take abreather and look at what Local Government is legislated to do. 14 Principles relating to local authorities (1) In performing its role, a local authority must act in accordance with the following principles: (a) a local authority should— (i) conduct its business in an open, transparent, and democratically accountable manner; and (ii) give effect to its identified priorities and desired outcomes in an efficient and effective manner: (b) a local authority should make itself aware of, and should have regard to, the views of all of its communities; and (c) when making a decision, a local authority should take account of— (i) the diversity of the community, and the community’s interests, within its district or region; and (ii) the interests of future as well as current communities; and (iii)


People voted him in

Posted on 24-10-2019 08:29 | By SiouxLioux

People out there obviously agree with Andrew Hollis. He got voted in. Nobody should be excluded from the Council. Andrew is not racist he is just stating what a lot of people think. I agree with others here who say we were told the Treaty Settlements were to be finished years ago. But no . . . our tax money is still going to some Iwi management teams who do not share with the little people down below. Corrupt practices everywhere. Paying no taxes as they are supposed Charities etc etc. All people of all races in this country should have a say in how local government runs. No particular race should have precedence over the rest and no one should be excluded because of their views.


Freedom

Posted on 24-10-2019 12:54 | By Told you

This is a country that sent New Zealanders overseas to fight for our Freedom and the right to speak openly without persecution in a modern society ,whether you agree or disagree with his views is a personal choice and allows each and every NZer entitled to speak openly.


History

Posted on 24-10-2019 13:10 | By SiouxLioux

Just wondering who's version of the History of New Zealand is going to be taught in schools? I find it concerning as people seem to be re-writing history to suit. I have heard that qualified NZ Historians have doubts about these new versions coming out. Let's hope all records are consulted.


Col Powell

Posted on 24-10-2019 19:38 | By Slim Shady

Thinks Council is the army. Thinks he has say over the people. I can’t believe people fell for a rank and a fancy jacket. Fools.


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