Does the Bay of Plenty Regional Council open its meetings with a prayer?
Alex Harris made this Official Information request to Bay of Plenty Regional Council
The request was successful.
From: Alex Harris
Dear Bay of Plenty Regional Council,
As you may have read recently, the Whanganui District Council abolished its opening prayer after a complaint was made to the Human Rights Commission. I'm interested in learning how widespread this practice is, so I'd like to request the following information under the LGOIMA:
* Does the Council open its meetings with a prayer?
* If the answer to the above is "yes", then I'd like a copy of that prayer (or examples, if more than one is used), when the practice was first established, whether the council has considered abolishing it in the wake of the Whanganui decision, and any advice the council may hold on the prayer's compatibility with both the Human Rights Act 1993 and Bill of Rights Act 1990.
I would prefer to receive an electronic response. Queries about this request will be automatically forwarded to me by the fyi.org.nz website.
Yours faithfully,
Alex Harris
Bay of Plenty Regional Council
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Your email has been referred to a member of Bay of Plenty Regional Council staff for the appropriate action.
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If you require urgent assistance or follow up, please contact us by phone on 0800 368 267.
[Bay of Plenty Regional Council request email] | Bay of Plenty Regional Council | Whakatane, New Zealand |
Ph: 0800 368 267 | Web: www.envbop.govt.nz<http://www.envbop.govt.nz/>
From: Sonia Delahunty
Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Dear Alex
We confirm receipt of your request for information. The request has been forwarded to the appropriate person and will be responded to in a timely manner.
Yours faithfully
Sonia Delahunty | Electronic Information Advisor | Bay of Plenty Regional Council | Whakatane, New Zealand | Ph: 0800 884 881 x9223 | Web: www.boprc.govt.nz
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From: Kelly Paterson
Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Dear Mr Harris
Your email request was forwarded to me to respond to.
As you requested, under the Local Government and Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 : "Does the Bay of Plenty Regional Council open its meetings with a prayer?"
Yes it does, at Council's full Council and Māori committee meetings.
Yours faithfully,
Kelly Paterson
On behalf of Mary-Anne Macleod | Chief Executive | Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Kelly Paterson | Chief Executives Private Secretary | Bay of Plenty Regional Council | Whakatane, New Zealand | Ph: 0800 884 881 x9132 | Web: www.boprc.govt.nz
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From: Kelly Paterson
Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Dear Mr Harris
My sincerest apologies as I have not responded fully to your request. I am now waiting for further information from Governance and will provide the response as soon as possible.
Yours faithfully,
Kelly Paterson
Kelly Paterson | Chief Executives Private Secretary | Bay of Plenty Regional Council | Whakatane, New Zealand | Ph: 0800 884 881 x9132 | Web: www.boprc.govt.nz
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From: Kelly Paterson
Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Dear Mr Harris
In answer to your questions:
1 The prayer currently used to open Full Council meetings is:
E te Atua nui tonu, ko matau enei
e inoi atu nei ki a koe, kia tau mai
te maramatanga ki a matau
whakarite mo tenei ra, arahina
hoki matau, e eke ai te oranga
tonu ki nga ahuatanga katoa a nga
tangata ki to matau rohe whanui
tonu. Amine
“Almighty God we ask that you
give us wisdom in the decisions
we make here today and give us
guidance in working with our
regional communities to promote
their social, economic,
environmental and cultural wellbeing.
Amen”.
2 The practice was first established when the BOP Regional Council was first established in 1989.
3 To the best of our knowledge, Council has not considered abolishing its opening prayer in the wake of the Whanganui decision.
4 To the best of our knowledge, Council does not hold any advice on its prayers compatibility with both the Human Rights Act 1993 and Bill of Rights Act 1990.
5 In respect of an opening prayer at Māori Committee Meetings - Māori Committee meetings are held on marae throughout the region. Individual Marae protocol is followed by way of powhiri that includes mihi and karakia.
Yours faithfully,
Kelly Paterson
On behalf of Mary-Anne Macleod | Chief Executive | Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Kelly Paterson | Chief Executives Private Secretary | Bay of Plenty Regional Council | Whakatane, New Zealand | Ph: 0800 884 881 x9132 | Web: www.boprc.govt.nz
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From: Alex Harris
Dear Kelly Paterson,
Thanks for your full, complete, and quick reply.
Yours sincerely,
Alex Harris
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