More than 100 people packed into Winton Memorial Hall last night to bear witness to Colin Smith’s final moments as the chairman of the Oreti Community Board.
As his fate was sealed four votes to three, the boisterous crowd let it be known they were not happy with the outcome.
Shouts of "shame on you" could be heard among boos at the venue.
When the board had to decide with whom to replace Smith shortly after, one person called out "nominate Colin again".
The meeting was held on the back of a letter to the Southland District Council on July 23 signed by four members who are widely known to be at odds with the rest of the board.
Katie Allan, Dave Diack, Chris Herud and Tracy Kennedy requested a meeting be held to remove Mr Smith, and last night they got their wish.
The board has made headlines for its dysfunction this year, and drew criticism for a June decision when it voted against a community preference to upgrade Winton’s ageing CCTV.
Those in opposition to the project included the four letter writers, and Karen Maw, whose sudden resignation has recently sparked a by-election.
Last night’s meeting began with a public forum in which people threw their support behind Mr Smith.
That included Southland Mayor Rob Scott, who said he had seen nothing but good leadership from the now former chairman.
"It’s not an easy role. It’s quite easy to sit in the cheap seats and criticise a chairman. But Colin, from what I’ve seen, has played with a straight bat the whole way through.
"He’s always had the community interests at heart."
Appointee to the board councillor Darren Frazer also backed Mr Smith, saying that even on his last day in the job he turned up early at 4pm to set up chairs and turn heaters on for the meeting.
"I think that actually makes a big statement about his service and his servanthood as a leader.
"Colin, you have my 100% support."
Councillor Margie Ruddenklau said removing Mr Smith would not just be losing a chairman, but also a "true advocate for our community".
Following the vote for removal, Smith thanked the community for showing up.
He was "very disappointed" by the four members, but was humbled by what people had shared across the evening "and vowed to stay on as a member".
A vote was then taken for a new chair to be appointed, member Katie Allan beating current deputy Philip Dobson four votes to three.
— Matthew Rosenberg, Local Democracy Reporter
— LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
