Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/does_the_far_north_district_coun on November 22, 2024 10:43

Does the Far North District Council open its meetings with a prayer?

Alex Harris made this Official Information request to Far North District Council

The request was successful.

From: Alex Harris

Dear Far North District Council,

As you may have read recently, the Whanganui District Council abolished its opening prayer after a complaint was made to the Human Rights Commission. I'm interested in learning how widespread this practice is, so I'd like to request the following information under the LGOIMA:

* Does the Council open its meetings with a prayer?
* If the answer to the above is "yes", then I'd like a copy of that prayer (or examples, if more than one is used), when the practice was first established, whether the council has considered abolishing it in the wake of the Whanganui decision, and any advice the council may hold on the prayer's compatibility with both the Human Rights Act 1993 and Bill of Rights Act 1990.

I would prefer to receive an electronic response. Queries about this request will be automatically forwarded to me by the fyi.org.nz website.
Yours faithfully,

Alex Harris

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From: ask.us@fndc.govt.nz
Far North District Council

Thank you for contacting the Far North District Council.
 
This is an automated reply. A member of our Ask Us Customer Services Team
will respond to your request or enquiry within 3 working days.
 
If you consider the situation requires urgent attention please contact us
immediately by telephone on our 24 hour (7 day) service number 0800 920
029 or on 09 401 5200.  
 
Regards
Ask Us Customer Services Team

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Far North District Council | Te Kaunihera o Tai Tokerau Ki Te Raki
Ph. 09 401 5200 | Fax. 09 401 2137 | Email. [Far North District Council request email]
Address. Memorial Avenue, Private Bag 752, Kaikohe 0440, New Zealand

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From: ask.us@fndc.govt.nz
Far North District Council

Good afternoon.

 

Thank you for contacting us at the Far North District Council.

 

I have forwarded your request for information to our Legal Department for
a response - correspondence number 3535845.

 

Kind Regards 
Anja

Ask Us Customer Services Team

Community and Customer Services
Ph. 09 401 5200 or 0800 920 029 

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From: Richard Palmer
Far North District Council

Good afternoon

In response to your query I would advise that the Council does not have an
opening prayer for its meetings and has not to my knowledge had one for at
least two terms.

On occasions when it holds a workshop or special meeting which has
particular Maori connotations it may open and close with a Karakia.

 

 

Richard Palmer

Council Advisory Services Manager

Corporate Services

Ph 09 401 5200 or 0800 920 029

 

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Get it done online at your convenience, visit our website -
www.fndc.govt.nz

show quoted sections

Far North District Council | Te Kaunihera o Tai Tokerau Ki Te Raki
Ph. 09 401 5200 | Fax. 09 401 2137 | Email. [Far North District Council request email]
Address. Memorial Avenue, Private Bag 752, Kaikohe 0440, New Zealand

Please consider the environment before printing this email.

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