Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/does_the_manawatu_district_counc on April 25, 2024 00:59

Does the Manawatu District Council open its meetings with a prayer?

Alex Harris made this Official Information request to Manawatu District Council

The request was successful.

From: Alex Harris

Dear Manawatu 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: Alex Harris

Dear Manawatu District Council,

A response to this request was due over a week ago and it is now late. Will I be receiving a response anytime soon?

Yours faithfully,

Alex Harris

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From: Janine Hawthorn
Manawatu District Council

Good Morning Alex,

Firstly, our apologies for the late response to your enquiry.

The answers to your questions are as follows:

* Does the Council open its meetings with a prayer?

The Manawatu District Council opens its Ordinary Council meetings with 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.

On 23 November 1989 Council adopted the following Prayer to be used: “Almighty God by whose grace we have been called to this office of service, give us the gift of wisdom and understanding that we may promote the best interests of all those whom we have been called to serve. Let nothing be done by us through strife, prejudice, the fear of man or vain glory and let no private interest influence our decisions. Amen.”

Council changed its policy and from 17 December 2009 the Council meetings have been opened with prayer by members of the Feilding Christian Leaders Association on a rotational basis. They use their own prayers.

We do not hold any information on the prayers' compatibility with either the Human Rights Act 1993 and Bill of Rights Act 1990.

Council did consider the Whanganui's decision and opted to continue with the current process.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require further information.

Kind regards,

Janine

| JANINE HAWTHORN | Governance and Administration Manager |
| Manawatu District Council | Private Bag 10001 | Feilding |
| P: 06 323 0000 | F: 06 323 0822 | www.mdc.govt.nz |

"Our people delivering great service to our community."

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