Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/does_the_waitomo_district_counci on April 26, 2024 16:43

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

Alex Harris made this Official Information request to Waitomo District Council

The request was successful.

From: Alex Harris

Dear Waitomo 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: Michelle Higgie
Waitomo District Council

Morning Alex

Waitomo District Council opens its meetings with the following prayer:

"God Grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the
courage to change the things we can and wisdom to know the difference.
These things we ask in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen"

I am unsure exactly when this practise commenced, however it is recorded
in the Council Minutes back as far as April 1989.

During my employment with WDC, the Council re-considered this practise
after both the 2007 and 2010 triennial elections and agreed to continue
with the prayer.

I do not believe the elected Council are aware of the Whanganui DC
situation.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to
contact me.

Yours faithfully

Michelle Higgie
Executive Assistant
Waitomo District Council
Phone: 07 878 0800
Fax: 07 878 7771
Email: [email address]

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