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November 24, 2013
Chadwick promises new start for council with Te Arawa
Waatea Team
Posted On November 24, 2013
Rotorua’s new mayor and council have started their term with a statement of committment to the region’s Maori population.
Steve Chadwick and councillors were given an official powhiri for the Mayor and councillors at Ohinemutu's Te Papaiouru Marae.
It’s the first time Te Arawa had been given the opportunity to formally acknowledge a new council.
Ms Chadwick, who wore a korowai that had belonged to guide Maggie Papakura, said the council must never forget that it was land gifts from Ngati Whakaue that laid the foundations for Rotorua.
She said Maori were the sleeping giant of the Rotorua economy, and it was time for a new engagement.
In welcoming the council, Toby Curtis, the chair of Te Arawa Lakes Trust chair Toby Curtis, paid a special tribute to new councillor Tania Tapsell, saying the 21-year-old has given Te Arawa youth hope and confidence to achieve beyond their current thinking.
Copyright © 2013, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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