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Does the Matamata-Piako District Council open its meetings with a prayer?

Alex Harris made this Official Information request to Matamata-Piako District Council

The request was successful.

From: Alex Harris

Dear Matamata-Piako District 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

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From: Teresa-Anne Odlum
Matamata-Piako District Council

Hi there Alex,

Thank you for e-mailing [Matamata-Piako District Council request email]

Your e-mail will be recorded in our document management system and forwarded
to the appropriate person for comment.

e-mails are processed in the same manner as written letters and faxes.
Accordingly you will receive a response within 10 working days.

Warm regards,
Teresa

Teresa-Anne Odlum | Customer Services Supervisor
Matamata-Piako District Council Morrinsville Area Office: 56 Canada Street,
Morrinsville
Postal address: PO Box 266, Te Aroha 3342
p 07 884 0060 | f 07 889 5740w www.mpdc.govt.nz
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From: Alex Harris

Dear Teresa-Anne Odlum,

A response to this request was due over a month ago. Will I be receiving one soon, or will I have to go to the ombudsman?

Yours sincerely,

Alex Harris

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From: Teresa-Anne Odlum
Matamata-Piako District Council

Hi Sandy,

I cannot find your reply. Are you able to resend to Alex today?

Thanks,
Teresa

Teresa-Anne Odlum | Customer Services Supervisor
Matamata-Piako District Council Morrinsville Area Office: 56 Canada Street,
Morrinsville
Postal address: PO Box 266, Te Aroha 3342
p 07 884 0060 | f 07 889 5740w www.mpdc.govt.nz
Join New Zealand's largest earthquake drill - ShakeOut 9:26am, 26 September
2012
Register now at www.getthru.govt.nz
Please consider the environment before printing this email

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From: Sandy Barnes
Matamata-Piako District Council

Hi Alex,

 

My apologies for not replying to you sooner.  I had thought I replied but
may have sent it to the wrong email address.

 

We do not open our meetings with a prayer. 

 

Regards

Sandy

 

Sandy Barnes | Democracy Services/Health & Safety Manager | Electoral
Officer
Matamata-Piako District Council 35 Kenrick Street, PO Box 266, Te Aroha
3342
p 07 884 0060 | m 027 484 8783 | f 07 884 8435 | w [1]www.mpdc.govt.nz
Join New Zealand's largest earthquake drill - ShakeOut 9:26am, 26
September 2012
Register now at [2]www.getthru.govt.nz

Please consider the environment before printing this email

 

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