May 10, 2022
Rotorua election plan taken to court
Rotorua Lakes Council says it will strongly oppose an application by council candidate Robert Lee for a judicial review of its decision to submit a local bill to parliament for a new electoral system.
The Māori Affairs Select Committee has paused consideration of the Rotorua District Council (Representation Arrangements) Bill while the council considers changes to bring it in line with the Bill of Rights Act.
Mr Lee, a software developer, is standing on the Rotorua Residents and Ratepayers ticket.
Council chief executive Geoff Williams says the action is misconceived and contains inaccurate allegations.
He says the council will seek costs.
Justice Woolford has set the application down for a one-day hearing on August 4, and instructed that the Attorney-General, Ngāti Whakaue and Te Arawa be invited to participate in the proceeding if they wish.