Kaipara

Kaipara District Council has terminated its formal relationship agreements with local iwi in a move described as devastating by Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust chair Reno Skipper.

The partnership, Puawai ki Kaipara, aims firstly to rid the five peninsulas encircling the Kaipara Harbour of possums, rats, stoats, weasels, pigs and feral cats.

A legal challenge against a Northland council that voted to abolish its Māori ward last month is due to get underway on Wednesday morning.

This hui was the first public meeting Kaipara District Council has held since the late Māori King passed last Friday.

Kaipara District Council is continuing a $25,000 review of its political structure despite a legal challenge over its Te Moananui o Kaipara Māori Ward abolition.

Māori ward councillor Pera Paniora says the council meeting agreeing to the disestablishment of Māori wards in Kaipara District shows a clash of cultures.

Kaipara District Council's decision to axe its Māori ward reinforces narrow-minded views, Nanaia Mahuta writes.

The judicial review proceedings were filed prior to the vote, with the rūnanga warning it would also file an injunction should the motion pass, which it did.

The extraordinary meeting descended into chaos, with protesters invited in, and the mayor reprimanding Māori ward councillor Pera Paniora.

Mayor Jepson reprimanded Councillor Paniora, threatening to remove her from the meeting for ‘disorderly behaviour’.