Letters: Board representatives democratically elected

PHOTO/FILE

John Pakes' letter (December 12) attempts to use the recent addition of Lakes and Rural community board representatives to each of two committees of council to legitimatise the "back door" access already provided to two unelected nominees from Te Tatau o Te Arawa to each of the same committees.

He suspects racism was behind the resistance and concludes that recent silence means acceptance. Nonsense.

The democratically elected Lakes and Rural community boards' members were mandated by the community to help govern our people. They govern with the people's consent.

Te Tatau o Te Arawa is the authentic political arm of Te Arawa and was elected by their diaspora to advance their tribal interests.

The rest of us have not given our consent for them to be given automatic and permanent governance power.

Indeed, in October, 41,397 votes went to RDRR-endorsed candidates who promised the restoration of democracy. They nearly won power, in my view confirming how deeply divided Rotorua is over the Te Arawa Partnership Plan.

Mr Pakes must accept that many resent the disproportionate influence that Te Tatau has on council and their attempts to normalise race-based governance as "the Rotorua Way".

We will seek the restoration of democracy in everyone's interests.

But only after a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

REYNOLD MACPHERSON
Rotorua

Voted on board
In response to John Pakes' letter (December 12) where he implies that there was no hue and cry over the Rural and Lakes community boards' members having voting rights on council committees, he must have forgotten that these members were democratically elected to their positions through the election process.

That is what differs from the means by which the Te Arawa members get to have voting rights.

Those people were simply appointed by a board. They did not gain their power through an open democratic election process.

PADDI HODGKISS
Rotorua