A resignation, theatrics and threats were all part of Kaipara District Council's last meeting, before elected councillors are replaced with independent commissioners.
Yesterday, councillors and staff were subjected to jeers, sneers and sometimes abusive and personal comments from around 70 people, who pulled out all stops to verbalise their feelings
about the council.
Chaired by Deputy Mayor, Julie Geange in the absence of Mayor Neil Tiller who is hospitalised with multiple leg fractures, Councillor Jonathan Larsen took the opportunity to resign - effective immediately - after reading publicly a statement written to Mr Tiller, which he later tabled.
Told by Ms Geange standing orders did not allow him to read his statement, he proceeded regardlessly, his comments receiving applause and a standing ovation from the gallery when he departed the chambers.
Representatives from Audit New Zealand, the Department of Internal Affairs and the review team chairman, Greg Gent, were present and consulted with during the meeting.
