Local Board Chair Apologises After Leaving Meeting Over Karakia

The chair of the Whangamatā Community Board, Mark Drury, has issued an apology after leaving a meeting due to a pre-meeting karakia, a traditional Māori prayer. Drury, alongside Deputy Chair Neil Evans, walked out while the karakia was being recited during the board’s first meeting of the new term on November 11.

The incident, captured on the official video recording of the meeting, began when the chair announced she would start with a karakia. Evans then raised an issue with the choice of karakia, expressing discomfort and preferring not to participate. He suggested that, in line with past practice, they could forgo the karakia altogether. "I am a little bit uncomfortable with it, and I would prefer not to be part of that," Evans said. He further stated, "as part of our tikanga in the past we have not had karakia, and that would suit me."

The meeting chair responded, telling Evans that it was fine if he chose to leave. Evans explained his discomfort was with that particular karakia and not karakia in general. However, Drury supported Evans and also chose to leave, saying he would "prefer not to have a karakia." Both members stood up and exited the room while the rest of the board proceeded with the karakia, which was “Tūtawa” by Scotty Morrison.

At the end of the meeting, Drury left once again as another karakia was recited. "I am going to step out for a minute. I don’t know how that works, but just did," he said as he walked out.

In response to the incident, Drury issued an apology. "I should have handled the situation in a manner that did not communicate disrespect," he stated. "My genuine intent is to always show respect to people. Clearly, I got it wrong in this situation." Drury expressed awareness of the significance of karakia for many in the community, particularly iwi groups, and said he was sorry for any offence his actions had caused.

A spokesperson from the Thames-Coromandel District Council confirmed that Drury had committed to clarifying his position with Evans to prevent future misunderstandings. Mayor Peter Revell emphasized that the council regularly uses karakia at the beginning and end of meetings and would continue to do so.

The use of karakia in local body politics has been a contentious issue in the past. In 2022, Kaipara District Mayor Craig Jepson had to backtrack after stopping a Māori councillor from saying a karakia at the start of a meeting, later stating that councillors were free to open and close meetings with a karakia, prayer, affirmation, or reflection.