December 13 2022
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A vision of hope unveiled Walking, cycling paths upgraded
Cycle and walking options are set to expand in Dargaville, thanks to a substantial Waka Kotahi grant …
P3
Rangatahi Ora and acclaimed artist Graham ‘Mr G’ Hoete have unveiled a new mural to enlighten and inspire visitors to Dargaville’s Selwyn Park. As part of the Tūmanako Project, Mr G has been on the road throughout New Zealand, working with young people to develop significant public works of art. Tūmanako translates to ‘hope’, signalling the project’s intent to be inspirational for rangitahi, both those who participated and all who see the finished work. A blessing was enacted as dawn rose on Saturday, officially unveiling the mural to the public. Mr G expressed pride at having been able to work alongside a talented group of local youth to make this work of art a reality.
Agreement reached on karakia protocol
Special Olympians in Hamilton
A team of athletes from Kaipara has joined the Northland contingent on a road trip to victory, heading down …
by Andy Bryenton
P5
Community rally to preserve church
The fate of Saint Michael’s On The Hill is again a topic of heated discussion, with a petition gaining strength to …
P7
Following a week of debate and public scrutiny surrounding the place of karakia, and prayer in general, as part of the format of council meetings, the Kaipara District Council has reached a joint decision. In a meeting on December 7, Mayor Craig Jepson and councillors decided that the appropriate answer to the question of how to open future meetings would be to share the responsibility. The mayor highlighted the fact that through frank discussion, a solution was reached, which is amenable to all — the basis of diplomacy. “We had an informal but productive chat after the recent council briefing,” says Mayor Jepson. “Councillor Paniora suggested that perhaps we could have a karakia before the formal opening of
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the meeting, and we went from there. We came to a collective agreement that everyone could accept.” The compromise is deliberately evenhanded, without favour to either of the factions that formed in the national media on either side of the debate following late November’s council meeting and events that unfolded there. “Agreement was reached that each councillor will have the opportunity on a rotating basis immediately prior to the opening of the ordinary council meeting to recite karakia, make statements of choice
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and forms of reflection,” Mayor Jepson stated. At the height of the controversy, it was the mayor’s opinion that the most important thing was the foundation of a functional council ready to tackle the issues facing Kaipara. “We as a council are there to do the work and represent everyone equally,” said Mayor Jepson. While some have called the decision a ‘back down’ by the mayor; he opines that it’s more apt to call it an agreement by the entire council to find a harmonious way forward.
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