‘Berserk’ threats as racism row boils over
Gisborne councillors say they and their families have been threatened over a racism row.
Yesterday, the Gisborne District Council met for another extraordinary meeting where it was formally revealed that councillor Malcolm MacLean was the individual pulled up by the council’s code of conduct review board for making an offensive comment at a previous meeting.
Councillor Meredith AkuhataBrown said she overheard MacLean say ‘‘not enough Ma¯ ori were killed’’, however MacLean is adamant he said ‘‘lucky no more [Ma¯ori] were killed with what confronted them’’.
MacLean said his wife, animals, and his wife’s business had all been threatened.
‘‘I can definitely stand here in my own mind and body and say I am not racist ... I would not have been able to hold the positions I’ve held in this community if I was racist,’’ MacLean said.
Councillor Karen Fenn said there had been ‘‘extreme negative comments’’ towards AkuhataBrown, MacLean, deputy mayor Rehette Stoltz and the council.
‘‘I ask the public to refrain from making these comments.’’
Councillor Larry Foster said the situation had caused social media to go ‘‘berserk’’.
Akuhata-Brown said public interest on this ‘‘huge issue’’ had led to the council meeting, and its coverage. ‘‘I will stand by the statement I heard until the day I die.’’ The ‘‘extremist’’ threats did not do the issue any justice, she said.
Since MacLean’s name was made public, a planned rally previously intended to get the council to ‘‘stop protecting racism’’ had been changed to one to thank councillors ‘‘who pushed for transparency’’.