Petition calls on Kaipara mayor to resign

An online petition calling on Kaipara mayor Craig Jepson to resign over his ban on karakia at the start of council meetings has attracted nearly 2000 signatures.

The petition was started last weekend and 1949 people had signed it by 3pm today.

Jepson did not wish to respond but has said previously he was not against Māori and was instead intent on building an inclusive environment.

Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson alongside Te Moananui Mōari Ward councillor Pera Paniora wearing her korowai Photo / Susan Botting

He shut down efforts by new Māori ward councillor Pera Paniora to say a karakia to start the Kaipara District Council (KDC)’s first full council meeting, in Mangawhai on Wednesday last week.

Paniora eventually used her maiden speech to say the karakia.

Jepson at the time said he would continue with the approach of not having karakia at the start of council meetings, saying he intended to run a secular council that respected everyone’s religion and ethnicity.

Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon waded into the debate, calling on the new mayor to reconsider his ban on karakia as it was important for councils and all organisations to create the right space to encourage Māori to honour the Treaty of Waitangi and to provide a space to express their culture and language.

The petition said Māori cultural expression was guaranteed under the Treaty.

“Local Government are required to uphold Treaty of Waitangi principles in their spaces and decision-making. Banning karakia is a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi.”

“Aotearoa New Zealand is an ethnically diverse country with many religions – or not - and we extend a warm welcome and much aroha to you all. However, Māori should not be considered alongside these many different ethnicities and religions celebrated in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Why? Because Māori are indigenous to this land. Mayor Craig Jepson should be removed from office. Mayor Craig Jepson should stand down.”

Jepson earlier said he had been hugely supported in his stance on karakia, inundated with dozens of positive calls, texts and emails from around New Zealand since the meeting. He was not against Māori. His actions had been about creating an environment for all councillors, he said.

Before becoming mayor Jepson campaigned, as part of Democracy Northland, against the introduction of Māori wards without public polling first, gathering petition signatures presented to KDC in early 2021