Prayers for wise decisions as councillors get to work
Central Hawke’s Bay District Council asks for ‘‘God’s help’’ to serve the community.
It is part of a Christian prayer used to start some meetings – the ones when local iwi are not there. When they are, a karakia is said instead.
Mayor Alex Walker says the prayer asking for God’s guidance is used because of its historic significance.
‘‘Councils have many ‘nods’ to history and tradition including things like the council prayer.
We have no collective view on the reference to God but choose to acknowledge our cultural connections and partnership with tangata whenua.’’
Hurunui District Council takes a different slant – its councillors say an affirmation recognising their skills, allowing them to make decisions for the area.
Council spokeswoman Naomi Woodham said the Hurunui council was nonsectarian, which was why it used an affirmation at meetings.
It begins: ‘‘We pledge that we will faithfully and impartially use our skills, wisdom and judgment throughout the discussions and deliberations ahead of us today in order to make responsible and appropriate decisions for the benefit of Hurunui.’’
Central Hawke’s Bay and Hurunui are not alone in their traditions. Across New Zealand’s regional, district and city councils, 13 pray, 26 say a karakia, 19 use a mix of both or another blessing, while 18 don’t use anything.
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) president Dave Cull said councils were free to open meetings as they chose.
‘‘Many councils use the LGNZ standing orders template, which states that local authorities may choose to recognise the civic importance of an occasion through some form of reflection.’’
This could be an expression of community values, a reminder of the contribution of the members who have gone before, or a formal welcome such as a mihi whakatau, Cull said.
Chief legal adviser at the Human Rights Commission Janet Anderson-Bidois said a karakia could be secular or religious.
‘‘While karakia, blessings or prayers should never be compulsory, some public institutions have introduced elements of tikanga Ma¯ori as part of their acknowledgement of biculturalism under the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, or say a prayer as a continuation of long-held traditions.’’
It was important institutions were able to give opportunities to discuss these matters if people were concerned about the approach, she said.
Massey University’s Professor Peter Lineham, whose research specialises in New Zealand’s religious history, said most councils which prayed had done so ‘‘for a very long time’’. ‘‘Gradually, it has been eliminated from most of the larger councils. The moment anybody protests about it, effectively it comes to an end.’’
The new trend was using a karakia, which was generally considered acceptable, where a European Christian prayer may not be, he said.