A newly elected Hastings District Council councillor chose not to attend a strategic planning session held on a marae over concerns about process, late notice and the nature of the agenda, which made him feel uncomfortable.
Steve Gibson said there were several reasons for his discomfort.
“Firstly, I don’t appreciate listening to extended addresses delivered in te reo without translation,” he said.
“Particularly when the majority of councillors are not fluent. This limits meaningful participation and understanding.
“Secondly, the spiritual aspects associated with marae proceedings, including references to beliefs that are not consistent with my own Christian faith, make it an uncomfortable environment for me to participate in official Council business.”
But Mayor Wendy Schollum said these sessions were often held in community venues, including halls, marae and function centres and provide an opportunity to connect with council’s varied communities.
She said there had been a discussion about the venue in December.
“The session was originally going to be held at Keirunga Homestead, but it was suggested that, since past sessions had already been held in Havelock North, perhaps a marae would be a good option as an alternative. There were no objections from any of those in attendance,” Schollum said.
“These forums give councillors dedicated time by themselves as elected representatives to collectively consider and discuss the high-level direction the council wants to take to help inform its Long Term Plan.”
She said they encourage councillors to share their views, test assumptions, and talk about what responsible long-term decision-making is that will deliver the greatest value for the community.
“They are about setting a direction, not making decisions on projects, so future conversations with our community are grounded, realistic and focused on what matters most.”
She said Waiohiki Marae was delighted to host the council, and it meant a lot to them after all the challenges they went through after the cyclone.
Gibson said his decision not to attend this particular session was not taken lightly.
“If councillors simply go along with virtue signalling without making a stand, nothing will change. At times, taking a short-term stand is necessary to achieve better long-term outcomes and stronger governance.
“The way this session was structured appeared to place pressure on councillors to conform to a preferred process rather than encouraging open debate and independent thinking.
“I wouldn’t expect councillors to attend Council meetings held in a church that promotes specific religious doctrines such as conversion therapy.
“I continue to attend council meetings, workshops, training sessions, and site visits, and I remain fully engaged in representing the interests of my constituents.
Schollum said the greatest value for councillors (and therefore the community) comes through taking part in these opportunities.
“These are ongoing discussions and if councillors miss them, it’s hoped they connect with other councillors and participate going forward.
“Councillors are not employees of council and, while strongly advised to attend and be informed about what they would miss if absent, the decision was up to them as individuals.”
Takitimu Māori ward councillor Heather Te Au-Skipworth said everyone was welcomed onto Waiohiki Marae by mana whenua with aroha and manaaki.
“All councillors in attendance enjoyed their hospitality and aroha, which helped us to engage effectively with one another to make good decisions for our community,” she said.
The cost for the venue was $2570, including venue hire and catering.
In December 2025, the council’s chief executive, Nigel Bickle, appointed a private investigator to examine allegations by a staff member relating to Gibson’s conduct at the Hastings Art Gallery on Friday, December 5.
A council spokesperson said on Thursday that a preliminary assessment had been completed and the Mayor would determine what happened next in the process.
He was the top-polling candidate of all councillors in the October 2025 local body elections.
[BayBuzz Editor: Councillor Gibson has written further on this matter, per below.]
“I want to be clear that my position is not directed at Maori or any other group. Maori are ratepayers too and like everyone else many are struggling with the cost of living, rising rates and growing council debt. Those pressures are front of mind for me.
“The question I am asking is a practical one. Do the people of Hastings want me focusing my limited time and energy on finding cost savings, reducing waste, slowing rate rises and getting debt under control, or sitting through lengthy ceremonial processes and speeches delivered in a language I do not understand and which is often not translated.
“I have travelled widely. In other countries I am not addressed on tours or in official settings in the local language because the hosts want visitors to understand what is being said. They speak English so the message is clear. I do not think it is unreasonable to expect the same clarity in my own country when conducting civic business.
“My objection is also about belief. I would not attend a council meeting held in a Norse hall with idols to Thor and Odin, even though that is part of my own ancestral culture, because it would conflict with my personal beliefs. In a plural society no one should be expected to set aside their beliefs to participate in compulsory civic decision making.
“Council meetings should be held in neutral civic spaces where everyone can participate fully without religious or spiritual elements being embedded in the proceedings. That position is about inclusion, not exclusion.
“I respect that others see this differently, but my beliefs matter too and it is reasonable to set boundaries around them. I remain committed to serving all Hastings residents and to doing the job I was elected to do in a way that is transparent, practical and focused on the real financial pressures facing our community.”
Steve Gibson
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Perhaps others should boycott this councillor’s meetings due to “spiritual reasons” – if you’re not a Christian?j
Agree – I’m classified as Agnostic – so I should really boycott any meeting of this councillor as his beliefs don’t coincide with mine – and his officialese language is unintelligible to me – his “buzzwords” should be directly translated so that I can understand the gist of his thought processes. My one regret over recent times is the Central Government, in its stupid “wisdom” stopped night classes where I was hoping to learn our official Maori language.
There are te reo Māori night classes at EIT.
Theres a big difference between people that stand behind their beliefs and people that stand for nothing.
How about just having the meetings in the civic buildings? No cost there. Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves. When I’m broke (like HDC is) I don’t go out and spend $2,500 on a venue and catering. The small stuff adds up to the big stuff. It was a ‘nice to do’ not a ‘have to do’.
Absolutely agree.
As Tauiwi (foreigner), who came to Aotearoa New Zealand 8 years ago, being invited onto a marae is a privilege and an extraordinary experience. If I could, I would hold all my meetings in a wharenui. I can relate to the discomfort Mr Gibson might feel, especially when he is unfamiliar with tikanga and marae protocol. However, there are free tikanga courses available for anyone who wants to learn. Same goes for te reo. I’d expect my elected councillors to have at least a basic understanding of both. If you’re unwilling to make this effort (for whatever reason), maybe the job isn’t for you.
Part of being a councillor is understanding all aspects of the people you are supposed to be serving. Did anyone else complain about Te Reo use? Sounds like the meetings were in English and the welcome onto the Marae were in Te Reo, fitting with tradition. A close minded councillor does not serve the needs of all constituents, only the white Christian’s he chooses to. Shame on him.
I agree with one aspect of this case, why are we paying $2570 to hold a meeting, when we the ratepayers own substancial buildings to accomadate this sort of event, this is typical of spending other peoples money with total disregard.
I met Steve when he was campaigning..
He was really all about himself, and nothing has changed since then.
Maori is one of our Official National languages, and the Treaty was written in Maori.
Attending a marae welcome should not be a problem for a public official, and especially in the Hastings District.
Does he not represent everybody, whether they speak Maori or not ?
What is his problem?