Dale-Maree Morgan, front right, with her supporters during the karanga at the start of the pōwhiri.
Tears flowed as Dale-Maree Morgan’s whānau handed her over to Waipā District Council following a pōwhiri welcoming the new Māori ward councillor on Friday.
Both Morgan and mayor Susan O’Regan were visibly emotional as the handover took place in the packed Te Awamutu council chambers.
It was less than a week since Morgan had been confirmed as the new councillor replacing Takena Stirling who resigned earlier this year after his suspension by the Law Society.
When she sat down at the council table – despite an initial technological hitch – Morgan looked ready to hit the ground running.
The agenda gave her little opportunity to follow up on the issues she identified as being important to her when The News had an exclusive interview last week.
Council is taking a month’s break from meetings which gives her a chance to find her way around the building and for O’Regan to confirm what her responsibilities will be.
The Strategic Planning and Policy committee meeting on August 1 in Cambridge will be Morgan’s first chance to get stuck into some debate.
Stirling had been the councillor with an iwi portfolio which saw him earning $47,177 a year. His key responsibility was assisting in the building of strong engagement and collaboration between council, mana whenua and iwi together with particular responsibilities for representing council on various committees and external groups which seek to work with mana whenua and iwi.
Iwi Relations advisor Shane Te Ruki.
Arana Hughes during his whaikōrero in the pōwhiri watched by council representatives.
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa filmed the pōwhiri.
Deep breath: New Wāipa Māori ward councillor Dale-Maree Morgan inhales while an emotional mayor Susan O’Regan and deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk stand in support.
Dale-Maree Morgan during the powhiri.
Signing on, from left: Wāipa mayor Susan O’Regan, Haona Kaha Grace (Nanny Haona), Dale-Maree Morgan and Robyn Nightingale.
Down to business for new councillor Dale-Maree Morgan but first some technology tips from councillor Andrew Brown, left, and Governance manager Jo Gread.
Tewhini Green, 4, from Rimu Street Kindergarten.
The handover – Dale-Maree Morgan emotionally welcomed by mayor Susan O’Regan.
Emotional ceremony, from left: Chief executive Garry Dyet, Iwi Relations advisor Shane Te Ruki, councillor Bruce Thomas (at rear), Wāipa mayor Susan O’Regan, Māori ward councillor Dale-Maree Morgan, deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, Haona Kaha Grace (Nanny Haona) and Robyn Nightingale.
Welcome, from left: chief executive Garry Dyet, mayor Susan O’Regan, Iwi Relations advisor Shane Te Ruki and deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk with new councillor Dale-Maree Morgan in centre.
Dale-Maree Morgan and mayor Susan O’Regan hug.
Cambridge-based councillor Philip Coles greets new Māori ward councillor Dale-Maree Morgan.
