Councillor Ray Chung called the submission a waste of time and ratepayers' money, saying the council should keep out of “central government barn politics”, and noting it was unlikely to pass into law anyway.
Tony Randle said his constituents were more worried about rates increases and community projects under threat than this bill.
Nicola Young did not speak, but voted against making a submission.
Karepa Wall, chief Māori officer in the council’s executive leadership team, said advice from the legal team was that the bill was relevant to council business, as it could impact the way council works, and the way it follows Treaty principles.
“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” he told the meeting.
All other councillors were in support of making a submission against the bill.
Mayor Tory Whanau said it was the council’s role as community leaders and elected members to share the views of those they represented.
But Randle argued he had no idea of the views of those he represented, and he was concerned it had been written without community consultation.
“I can’t support this motion because I literally don’t know what my representatives think,” he said. “And if I put myself on either side of this debate, I’ll only be doing it for my own view, which I suspect is actually likely to be the point of a lot of councillors around the table.”
Others thought it was clear Wellingtonians had spoken. Rebecca Matthews said: “Thousands and thousands of Wellingtonians joined that hīkoi.”
“It is our business,” agreed Ben McNulty, “When 80,000 people walk our streets in the largest hīkoi in this country.”
Nīkau Wi Neera warned against ignoring the legal team’s advice. “This bill will materially hinder the right of this council to operate as it chooses, and has chosen, namely in accordance with the Treaty.”
Councillors also heard from members of the public and local iwi leaders who urged them to submit against the bill.
The motion carried, with 15 in favour and three against.
Chung said he wanted his opposition recorded in the minutes, and wanted the submission itself to show his dissent.
In support:
- Mayor Tory Whanau
- Nureddin Abdurahman
- John Apanowicz
- Tim Brown
- Diane Calvert
- Laurie Foon
- Sarah Free
- Rebecca Matthews
- Ben McNulty
- Teri O’Neill
- Iona Pannett
- Geordie Rogers
- Nīkau Wi Neera
- Holden Hohaia (mana whenua representative)
- Liz Kelly (mana whenua representative)
Against:
- Ray Chung
- Tony Randle
- Nicola Young
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