Cr Ong is not a member of the Dunedin City Council's Te Pae Māori committee but is free to attend and simply watch. Before this morning's meeting got under way, he had discussions with council chief executive Sandy Graham. Benedict Ong objected to a lack of speaking rights at a meeting of the Dunedin City Council's Te Pae Māori committee. Ms Graham said membership of Te Pae was a combination of appointed representatives from mana whenua, mātāwaka and councillors. but are not able to speak at the meeting unless they are members of the committee."

Source: Otago Daily Times April 09, 2026 05:52 UTC