Te Rangi Actions Amount to Bullying And Intimidation

Lobby group Democracy Action is calling on the Chair of Auckland's Independent Maori Statutory Board selection panel, Tame Te Rangi, to step-down after details of a letter threatening legal proceedings against Auckland councillors were published in today's Herald on Sunday. It is reported that Mr Te Rangi threatened legal action unless councillors released ratepayer money for the defence of the most recent selection process lead by Mr Te Rangi. Democracy Action's Chairman, Lee Short, says:

“It is bad enough that the Independent Maori Statutory Board is an undemocratic feature of the Super City but it’s a step further to have someone apparently willing to intimidate councillors for ratepayer cash. We applaud the Councillors who stood up to this threat, and have lodged a formal complaint with the Auditor General.”

"Mr Te Rangi should do the honourable thing and resign."

“The National Government foisted this unelected Maori Statutory Board onto Aucklanders, and actions such as Mr Te Rangi’s are further subverting our democracy. This is another example of how poorly the citizens of Auckland are being served by the Super City legislation."

ENDS

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