For the first time the full Christchurch City Council is to hold one of its monthly meetings on a marae.

The next Council meeting, on Thursday 23 November, will be held at the Nga Hau E Wha National Marae at 250 Pages Road. The Council meeting will start at 2pm as usual but Councillors and Council officers will be welcomed on to the marae at noon before being served lunch.

The public is invited to attend the noon powhiri.

The last time the Council met away from the Tuam Street Council Chamber was at the time of refurbishment.

Then, the meetings were held in the Provincial Council Chambers. Market Square (now Victoria Square) was exchanged with local Maori for Little Hagley Park in the city's early days and then that area was exchanged for the area where the Nga Hau E Wha marae now stands.

"It is fitting and significant that the Council hold its first meeting at the Nga Hau E Wha marae as it supports cultural, social and spiritual cohesion for all cultures," says the City Council's Maori liaison officer, Maria Tait.

"This cohesion is acknowledged in its carvings and they include Captain Cook along with Maori chiefs," she says.

Further information: Max Robertson, Council Secretary: 374 6419.

Christchurch City Council http://www.ccc.govt.nz

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