A West Coast Regional Council contractor told Westland mayor Helen Lash to behave like an adult during a testy exchange at a meeting in Franz Josef on Wednesday.
The incident followed a discussion about when work must start on the second stage of stopbank work on the Waiho/Waiau River, to meet government funding conditions.
Ratepayers and councillors who oversee the project as the Franz Josef Joint Committee, wanted clarification on the start and end dates for the multimillion-dollar project.
Lash – who chairs the committee, said a letter from Kānoa (the Government’s Regional Economic and Investment Unit) sent to her by the council’s governance adviser Freya Love, did not spell out dates.
“But my absolute understanding is that we have to start construction (on the remaining stop banks) before 30 June this year otherwise the money will be withdrawn.”
Lash asked if that could be provided in writing.
“It’s too general Freya [Love], what you sent through today. We need that specific timeframe so we know exactly what the end point is and we can work forward from there.”
Love said the mayor could assume the 2024-25 construction season meant the financial year.
“It’s fairly straightforward, madam chair.”
Lash asked again.
Council adviser Freya Love and chief executive Darryl Lew zoomed into the meeting from a hotel room in Wellington.
Love said the Government had one financial year.
“It is the 24-25 financial year. It’s not rocket science – that’s what it is,” Love said.
“Excuse me Freya, that’s unacceptable, thank you,” Lash said.
Love responded: “Stop talking to us like we’re children, behave like an adult yourself,” she told the Westland mayor.
Lash took a brief moment before turning to the regional council chief executive.
“Ah… thank you Mr Lew, I would ask you to manage your staff, if you wouldn’t mind."
Local businessman Kim Smith was equally taken aback.
“Are we paying for this lady to actually advise Mr Lew?” he asked.
“Yes,” Lash said.
“No you’re not,” Love said.
WCRC chief executive Darryl Lew said that Ms Love had already decided to leave WCRC prior to the meeting.
‘‘I have expressed my sincere apologies to Mayor Lash today [Thursday] and informed her that the contractor will no longer be working for WCRC following the comments made at last night’s Franz Josef Joint Committee meeting.
‘‘West Coast Regional Council and Westland District Council have a strong partnership working together for the best outcomes for our community. We value that very highly,” Lew said.
■LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
