Society regrets resignation

Rotorua Pro-Democracy Society officials say just one other person has resigned from the organisation after district councillor Mike McVicker stepped down from the committee of the society he helped form.

In yesterday's Rotorua Daily Post, Mr McVicker said he resigned from the society's committee due to a "clash of personalities and ideologies" between himself and society secretary and Rotorua academic Reynold Macpherson.

Mr McVicker said the society was set up to combat the "undemocratic" Te Arawa Partnership Proposal (TAPP) but it had since gone in a different direction.

Mr McVicker said he would remain a member of the society but would not be involved with its committee.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Macpherson said the Pro-Democracy Society regretted Mr McVicker's "reported resignation from its committee without consultation over the issue of race-based representation".

"There has been one other resignation from the near 350 members over a possible compromise discussed between the positions of those promoting the Te Arawa Partnership Proposal and the Pro-Democracy Society," Mr Macpherson said.

"Contrary to his speculations about the society's long-term purposes, it remains focussed on defending democracy.

"There is no split. It will continue to use all peaceful political, moral and legal means possible to pursue this primary concern on behalf of all citizens.

"It was never intended to exist solely to challenge the TAPP, as is claimed by Mr McVicker," he said.

Mr McVicker said he was happy not to have any further involvement with the society's committee and declined to make any further comment.

"Mr McVicker's resignation from the committee is therefore regarded as disappointing ... and confirming that his views on race-based representation are at odds with a compromise position that could prove acceptable to the society," Mr Macpherson said.

He also said Mr McVicker's resignation from the committee could have other motives.