Hastings District Council has pulled a series of social media videos after a legal warning accused it of using public resources to promote one side of a political issue. The videos, featuring Deputy Mayor Tania Kerr and Māori ward councillor Ana Apatu, praised the benefits of Māori wards ahead of an upcoming referendum.
Hobson’s Pledge, a group opposed to race-based representation, alleged the council had crossed a legal line by using its official Facebook page to campaign for a preferred outcome.
Brigitte Morten, a lawyer for Hobson’s Pledge, said it was “indisputable” the videos were advocating for one side of the debate. In a letter to council, she cited the 2004 Aukuso case, where a similar misuse of funds was found to potentially invalidate a local poll. She warned that further breaches risk invalidating the poll and could force a costly re-run.
Council deputy chief executive Bruce Allan claimed the videos were produced in-house at no cost and aimed to address “misconceptions” about the referendum. Nonetheless, they were removed in an abundance of caution after the legal challenge.
HDC had not cleared the content with its electoral officer but believed the material stayed within legal bounds. Four more videos were planned.
The Office of the Auditor-General confirmed it received correspondence on the matter.
Editor’s note: This story may spark debate about race, but the real issue is political neutrality and the use of ratepayer funds to back one side of a live political question. Bruce Allan claims the videos were produced at no cost, but staff time and council platforms are public resources.
Ratepayer-funded comms that blur the line between informing and campaigning violate political neutrality and have no place in council business, no matter the cause.
Councillors are free to campaign, but not on the ratepayer’s dime.
Centrist Ltd.