The councillor at the centre of the Kaipara karakia controversy is "content" with the decision made by Kaipara District mayor Craig Jepson and fellow councillors to allow a form of karakia at council meetings.
Jepson backed down on his controversial decision to ban karakia at council meetings following an "open and frank" meeting yesterday that resulted in a compromise where each councillor will take turns in opening and closing meetings with a karakia, affirmation, prayer or reflection of the day.
Maori ward councillor Pera Paniora, who the mayor refused to allow today a karakia at the council's first meeting says the compromise is a unique way forward for karakia where all councillors can feel included and comfortable.
"Tikanga can adapt and evolve. I am content with this compromise on the basis that our wider tikanga also includes manaakitanga and aroha," she said in a statement on social media.
"A kaumatua will hold a session on the tikanga surrounding karakia so as to ensure each councillor understands and observes the tikanga of the karakia practice."
In a statement released earlier today, Jepson said an "open, frank" discussion took place between himself and eight councillors to find a way to best accommodate the needs of "all elected members".
'Uniting to strengthen'
"Agreement was reached that each councillor will have the opportunity on a rotating basis immediately prior to the opening of the ordinary Council Meeting to recite karakia, make statements of choice and forms of reflection.
"This issue has been a stressful process for members and family. Councillors acknowledge there will always be contrasting views. However, we unite to strengthen our council in a mutual desire to maintain and improve the communities we serve," Jepson said.
The discussion comes a week after Jepson interrupted an attempt by Māori ward councillor Pera Paniora to open the council's first full meeting with a karakia in te reo Māori.
In his blocking of the request by Paniora, Jepson said the council is "full of people who are non-religious, religious, of different ethnicities and I intend to run a secular council here, which respects everybody, and I will not be veering from that. Thank you."
That caused outrage among Māori, with Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara chair Kahurangi Naida Glavish calling for him to step down from office and intending to meet with Jepson, whether he wanted to or not, to discuss the matter.
