Latest news with #EvelynCook
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Nobby Clark delays policy over diversity concern
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark says he would leave the policy's adoption on the table while he met with council staff to discuss implications. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark has drawn the ire of some councillors after stalling the council's new procurement policy over concerns with a diversity question. The issue relates to the Invercargill City Council now asking businesses whether they record diversity data as part of the tender process, noting they would not be excluded if they didn't. On Tuesday, Clark chaired a meeting where the updated procurement policy was set for approval following a recommendation from the finance and policy committee on 20 May. But the mayor - who was absent from that committee meeting - said he received feedback from "a number of councillors" uncomfortable with the policy dealing with diversity data. Clark said he would leave its adoption on the table while he met with council staff to discuss implications. Mana whenua representative Evelyn Cook said collecting the data was a small matter that didn't cost anything. "If a contractor feels disadvantaged by the fact that we asked the question, they need to be looking in the mirror, because I don't think this is an unusual request in 2025. It was in 1965. I would be sad if we chose to return there," Cook said. Councillor Lesley Soper, who chaired the finance and policy committee where the recommendation was approved, took strong exception to Clark using his power as council chair to delay adoption. Soper said she was unaware councillors had gone behind her back to raise issues and believed Clark was trying to usurp the democratic process. The move set a dangerous precedent for council because it showed outcomes at committee level could be changed down the line, she said. "I strongly protest this abuse of council's process." Councillor Alex Crackett also took issue with the mayor, saying the process was not being run correctly and was a "perversion of democracy". Despite pressure from some, Clark backed his decision to defer the policy's adoption. Other questions asked under the council's revised policy include whether the business is local and whether it monitors carbon impact. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
06-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Invercargill City Council rejects wish of rūnanga to obtain land
Awarua Rd, Omaui Beach Photo: Matthew Rosenberg / LDR Omaui is a coastal settlement south of Invercargill with views of a beach and estuary. It is home to a small number of houses, a camp and walking options. A piece of land with special significance to Māori will not be returned after Invercargill councillors voted to retain the status quo. Mokomoko Reserve in Omaui - 25 minutes from Invercargill - was identified for potential disposal in August 2023. The triangular-shaped section covers almost 5000 square metres and is grazed by way of an informal relationship with a neighbouring farmer. Te Rūnanga o Awarua submitted to the council in October 2023 highlighting the significance of Omaui and desire to have a place for reconnecting with the land. The area was known as a place of burial, and caution needed to be taken in changing land use due to the possibility of desecrating unknown urupā, former rūnanga kaiwhakahaere Dean Whaanga wrote at the time. Whaanga also presented on Tuesday, reiterating it was a great opportunity for the council to offer the land as a place to camp or gather kai. But the council's consultation also saw a number of residents object to revocation, with retention of the view a key concern. Council mana whenua representative Evelyn Cook supported disposing of the land and said the issue was being left for a future council, even though there had been an indication it was trying to reduce its number of non-useful reserves. "And this is one that some people would like to have ... as a low-key, low impact use, and I'm a little sad that we're not actually looking at that potential," she said. Mana whenua representative Pania Coote agreed, saying the council was not thinking ahead. "This land is not fit for purpose for the council, so there's an opportunity here to actually put it where it's best needed and I think where it's best needed is to go back to the people." Ultimately, Cook and Coote were the only members to vote against revoking reserve status and disposing of the land. Whaanga - who is now a trustee of the rūnanga - told Local Democracy Reporting he was disappointed by the outcome. But he looked forward to working with the council on projects important to iwi and the community, as well as understanding how the council would make sure reserve land was managed well for future generations. Other options available to the council following potential revocation were to sell the land on the open market or to a neighbour. The land in question is landlocked with no accessway. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
