Printed from https://fyi.org.nz./request/does_the_queenstown_lakes_distri on November 17, 2024 13:49

Does the Queenstown-Lakes District Council open its meetings with a prayer?

Alex Harris made this Official Information request to Queenstown-Lakes District Council

The request was successful.

From: Alex Harris

Dear Queenstown-Lakes 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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Queenstown-Lakes District Council

Thank you for your e-mail.  Your request will be forwarded to the
appropriate staff member or contractor to action. 

Should your enquiry be urgent, please feel free to phone Queenstown 03
441-0499 or Wanaka 03 443-0024.

 

Kind regards,

 

The QLDC Customer Services Team

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From: Barbara East
Queenstown-Lakes District Council

Dear Alex
Thank you for your email which we received on the 18th April, requesting information about the Queenstown Lakes District Council's prayer. We are processing your request under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and will respond to you within 20 working days.

Regards
Barbara East
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Barbara East | Wanaka Service Centre Manager | Governance
Queenstown Lakes District Council … Making Life Better
Private Bag 50072, Queenstown, 47 Ardmore St, Wanaka, New Zealand | www.qldc.govt.nz
P: +64 3 443 0422 | M: +64 27 355 2431 | F: +64 3 450 2223                                    
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From: Barbara East
Queenstown-Lakes District Council

Dear Alex
The Queenstown Lakes District Council does open its Council meetings with a prayer. The practice seems to date back to 1986 when the Queenstown Lakes District Council replaced the old Borough Council. No consideration has been given as yet to abolishing the practice in the wake of the Whanganui decision and Council does not hold any advice on the prayer's compatibility with either the Human Rights Act 1993 or the Bill of Rights Act 1990.

OPENING PRAYER

Creator God, from whom alone comes wisdom and understanding, we ask that your Holy Spirit will direct our hearts and minds so that we may discharge our duties of office faithfully, and ever promote the welfare of this district and people. We ask through Jesus Christ, and for your glory.

AMEN

Regards
Barbara East
Wanaka Service Centre Manager

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