Thread: Kaimanawa Forest Park

Originally Posted by Woody

@Snow4wd
Thankyou for that very commendable work. I am sure many of us look forward to the Ombudsman findings.
However; my past dealings with Ombudsman indicate that office has no poers of correction but only to make recommendation to the appropriate Minister of the Crown. A usual prior requirement is that such Minister must have been approached prior to Ombudsman creating an investigation. Perhaps in this case it may be the Minister for Local government?
Three forum members approached Taupo Council about this matter and the Mayor Trewavas denied any knowledge of the issue and stated to me that he was unaware of any public consultation having takeb place. At a meeting we attended on the subject the legal advisors to TDC brought no light to the matter either.
NzDA chief and deputy execs were fully informed by us at that time. The only other update I am aware of was a proposed closed meeting within the Rotoaira forest trust for 12th Sept but I do not know what disussions actually took place; nor any outcomes since.
Please keep us updated if you can.
Kind regards--

Sounds like the Taupo mayor was correct then that there were no 'public consultations having taken place'.
Rather, closed to public consultations may have taken place?

An issue that has recently been highlighted by the ombudsman regarding local government and democracy.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/pol...ncil-workshops

Then again, here's an article from 2 years ago about the ombudsman looking into public excluded council workshops.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-sta...ssion-welcomed