Council chief executive warns of abuse, harassment of elected members
Photo:
Ruapehu District Council
A district council chief executive fears the abuse directed at elected members is putting people off running for office - and it is time to call it out.
A 2022 Local Government New Zealand survey found nearly half of elected members nationwide had faced some form of abuse.
Ruapehu District Council chief executive Clive Manley said his region was no different and, although he didn't want to talk about individual cases, he said some councillors had been harrassed, both in person and online, for speaking out.
"They can end up with a lot of personal attacks and comments, whether they are women or [older] or whatever," he said. "We should be able to robustly engage on a topic and come up with a good solution, without the fear they they are going to be personally attacked.
"Without going into details, individuals get called out for who they are, rather than what they are speaking about, and that's totally wrong."
The survey found 43 percent of elected members
experienced harassment, prejudice or threatening behaviour
. Half of them faced harassment in their communities, and a third encountered abuse while shopping or picking up children from school.
Manley said much of the abuse directed at his councillors came from "a small group of repeat offenders", especially online.
"As we head into the election period, we won't hesitate to ban people from council's Facebook page, if they cannot engage respectfully."
He was speaking out about the issue, because - as council chief executive - he wanted to encourage anyone considering standing to feel confident doing so.
"Council is committed to supporting elected members and candidates stand for election, and serve their community. There are resources available to help people run a safe and successful campaign, and to continue their work safely once elected."
He said the tools included guidance on protecting privacy, staying safe in public and online, managing social media interactions, reporting abuse, and accessing support services and counselling. He had also discussed the issue with local police.
"They have confirmed they will take any complaints of harassment or abuse extremely seriously."
Manley said public office needed diversity and anyone considering standing in Ruapehu for the local elections should feel confident they'll be supported by council.
"Local government is about working with local communities and addressing issues locally, and we want the best possible candidates standing, not thinking 'if I do this, I'm going to get harassed in the supermarket, or in the street or where I work'."
"I encourage everyone who wants to make a difference to their community to put their hand up and stand for these positions, whether it's central or local, and know we do need a diversity of view to make the place better."
Nominations for local elections open on 4 July.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
15 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Jamie Slater found responsible for murdering Whatitiri Whakaruru at Hāwera accommodation complex
By Tara Shaskey, Open Justice reporter of Jamie Slater, also known as Jamie Shippey, has been found responsible for the death of Whatitiri Whakaruru. Photo: Open Justice / Tara Shaskey Guests at a boarding complex began a night of drinking and playing pool in the recreational area with "no dramas". But when one of the guests, Jamie Slater, had an unexpected change of mood, everything changed in an instant. Without warning, he grabbed a large chef's knife with a 20cm blade from the communal kitchen, headed straight for Whatitiri Whakaruru, and fatally stabbed him in the heart. Whakaruru, 26, pushed Slater away, stumbled backwards, then landed on a couch where he slumped over, bleeding heavily from the chest wound. Today, Slater, who also goes by the name of Jamie Shippey, was found in the High Court at New Plymouth to have been responsible for Whakaruru's death. He was previously found unfit to stand trial on a charge of murdering Whakaruru and has now been detained as a special patient in a psychiatric hospital. The outcome was distressing for the whānau of Whakaruru, who felt failed by the justice system, saying they believe Slater, who appeared via audio-visual link from a health facility, has been allowed to "walk free". Whakaruru was not Slater's first victim. The court has heard he has an earlier conviction for manslaughter, relating to the death of his partner. At today's hearing, the public gallery was packed with Whakaruru's whānau and friends who held photos of him as they comforted one another. Whakaruru's mother described her son as a good, honest and caring young man who had a promising life ahead of him. "He did not have an inch of violence in him," she said in her victim impact statement read to the court. She remembered his great sense of humour and how he would lovingly tease her. Now, he would never have the chance to marry, have children or continue the lineage of his whānau, she said. Addressing Slater, she said she had no words for him other than that he took an innocent life for no reason. "My baby boy is never coming back. From this day, my life will always be shattered and damaged." Whakaruru's sisters also read victim impact statements, with one describing the "excruciating" loss of her younger brother. "I stand here today with a heart shattered beyond repair, grieving the loss of my beloved brother, my parents' youngest child, and my whole entire heart. Whatatiri Whakaruru is his name." She said Whakaruru was "a bright-spirited, irreplaceable soul". His life had been "stolen" by Slater, who she described as a "lowlife, cold-hearted coward". Now, the whānau was left with a wound that refused to heal, she said. Whakaruru's other sister spoke about the outcome of the case and labelled it an injustice for her brother and the whānau. She said Slater had been "allowed to walk free" and felt that his health and background issues were being used as a means for him to avoid accountability. "They [his issues] do not justify your actions," she said. "You were aware of your actions and simply did not care." As the whānau were now forced to confront the reality of a life without Whakaruru, she said the justice system had failed them. "You don't deserve to be granted any special treatment," she told Slater. Whakaruru was killed on 22 April last year, at a boarding complex on Gladstone St in Hāwera, South Taranaki. That evening, Slater had been playing table tennis in the recreational area with other guests before he went to his room. Whakaruru, his cousin Kingi Te Aroha Poutonga Keremeta, and friend Joseph Hori, returned to the complex, where Keremeta was also a guest, around 9.40pm after spending time at another address in Hāwera. Shortly after, the three bumped into Slater in the hallway as they all left their rooms. CCTV footage captured the men shaking hands with Slater, whom they previously did not know, and he walked to the recreational area with them. Whakaruru and his group played pool and table tennis while Slater and other residents also socialised. People were drinking alcohol and the mood in the room was described as being "all good" and "no dramas". At 10.07pm, Slater left the area, walked down the hallway and went to his bedroom. When he returned one minute later, he walked through the communal kitchen, grabbed a knife and headed straight for Whakaruru. Without warning, he stabbed Whakaruru. Slater was then beaten by Keremeta, "as a result of blind fury". Hori grabbed the knife from Slater's hand and threw it on the floor and then went to assist Whakaruru. Other residents phoned 111 and emergency services arrived a short time later. Whakaruru was transported to hospital but he was unable to be revived. The stab wound to his chest went through his heart and was unsurvivable. Slater was later spoken to by police and stated he had been "scared". "There was five or six people. I went to that couch. They said 'you got a problem', I told them 'nah, I haven't got a problem'," he told police. "I got a knife, they were playing pool." He also said he "didn't give a s***" and alleged they were "s****y gang members". Keremeta was earlier sentenced to 10 months of home detention for beating Slater, and on other unrelated violence charges. At today's hearing, Justice Peter Churchman acknowledged the courage and the loss of Whakaruru's whānau, as well as their "frustration" with the outcome. "I acknowledge that for the whānau it will be of little consolation but it is the way the system works with cases like this." Justice Churchman, who previously found Slater unfit, was tasked with determining whether Slater was responsible for the death of Whakaruru, and how to deal with him. He was satisfied there was sufficient evidence to establish, on the balance of probabilities, that he was responsible. The justice then ruled, based on a forensic psychiatrist's report, which was accepted by the defence and the Crown, that Slater was to be detained in a psychiatric hospital as a special patient. He said Slater showed significant behavioural and cognitive deficits such as impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and limited insight. Slater, who also has irreversible brain damage, posed a risk to himself and was a very high risk of reoffending and was assessed as a "significantly elevated" risk of harm to others. The Minister of Health ultimately determined how long the special patient order detaining Slater remained in force. * This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald .
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Investigation underway following fatal motorbike crash in South Auckland's Pukekohe
Police had tried to pull the rider over shortly before they were found dead. (File photo) Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller One person has died following a motorbike crash in Auckland's Pukekohe, and a police investigation has been launched. Counties Manukau District Commander, Superintendent Shanan Gray said police had been looking for a stolen motorbike in the area when officers saw the bike travelling along Helvetia Rd at 12.20pm on Friday. The officer did a U-turn and attempted to get the motorbike to stop, but Gray said before they had turned on their lights and sirens the motorbike sped off at speed. They then lost sight of the bike. A short time later another officer found the bike crashed on McShane St. The rider was found dead at the scene. A scene examination was underway and the road was closed, Gray said. "There is now an investigation underway, which will work to establish all the facts surrounding this tragic incident." The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) would also be notified. "We are also working to support those affected and their families as well as our staff who were involved," Gray said. "As part of our investigation, we are seeking information from witnesses who may have been in the area at the time, or prior to this incident occurring." Anyone with information should contact police online now or call 105 and use the reference number P063348335. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Councillors tired of being ‘beaten up' and blamed by central government
The South Wairarapa District Council doesn't want to be "the whipping boy" of central government. Photo: LDR / Emily Ireland Councils feel "beaten up" and blamed for problems outside their control as tensions rise between them and central government. South Wairarapa councillor Colin Olds made the remarks after councils were once again in the firing line of central government. In a statement yesterday, Local Government Minister Simon Watts said some households were getting frustrated by unfair rate hikes during the cost-of-living crisis. It followed comments at the recent Local Government NZ (LGNZ) conference, where Watts compared councils to children and suggested that letting them do what they wanted might lead to bad choices. Olds, who attended the conference, told his colleagues and LGNZ representatives that he was disappointed that councils continued to get "beaten up by central government" over things that were out of their control. Councils had defended rising rates as they were dealing with increased infrastructure costs, unfunded mandates, insurance, and inflation. LGNZ chief executive Susan Freeman-Greene said tensions between local and central government were "a challenge", and that councils bore the impact of frequent changes to government policy. "We all know that in opposition, parties are really strong localists and in government they tend to be much greater centralists and much more likely to want to constrain and tell you what to do and tell you how badly you are doing to deflect some of the challenges they are facing," she said. LGNZ chief advisor Ranjani Ponnuchetty said governments of all persuasions "need a natural enemy". "It's extremely unfortunate that we are here now and somehow seem to be that focal point at this point in time. "No matter the government, no one will take the blame. "No government will ever accept responsibility for the consequences of anything." In response to the comments made at the South Wairarapa meeting, Watts said when it came to spending, the government had been clear that councils needed to prioritise the basics - essential services like roading, water, infrastructure, and rubbish. "There are different councils in different positions across the country - some councils have signalled through their annual plans quite significant increases in rates, and others have not. "The bottom line and most important outcome is ensuring ratepayers get value from money for the service that they pay for. "That's also why we're working at pace on a potential rates capping model to save people money. "Cost of living is the number one issue many New Zealanders are facing right now and we're committed to providing relief - I intend to bring options to Cabinet later this year for consideration." Meanwhile, councillor Alistair Plimmer said the only way forward to fix the "mess" was a complete rewrite of the Local Government Act, instead of continuous tweaks that could result in "a dog's breakfast". He said the Local Government Act was not fit-for purpose, and took no account of the realities of small rural councils. He urged LGNZ to take matters into their own hands and do the rewrite themselves to make it "fit for the next century". "If you don't do it, who is going to?" he asked LGNZ representatives at this week's council meeting. "There is no incentive for central government to do this. They like the whipping boy." Freeman-Greene agreed with Plimmer that the Act was "out of date" and "complex". "It's been added to and amended from, and is continuously tweaked," she said. "We need an Act that is fit-for-purpose and future focused and clear. "Ideally, also supported across the house so that we are not flip-flopping between different intents of what your role is." At the recent LGNZ conference, councils passed a remit calling for a review of the current functions and governance arrangements of local government. - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
