Community board brings "sausagegate" saga to an end

After more than 30 years of serving up biscuits, sandwiches and savouries - catering at a Christchurch community board’s fortnightly meeting has come to an end.

The Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board has decided to cease catering at its meeting from next month onwards.

The ongoing saga, labelled “sausagegate” by Central Riccarton Residents’ Association secretary Garth Wilson, has been a source of contention for more than a year.

The decision was made after a notice of motion was put forward by board member Mark Peters, calling for an open and transparent discussion on the issue.

“Simply the time of economic strain we are in at the council, I think it is wise we that we remove the spending on catering,” he said.

But the decision didn’t go down without a fight from board chairman Mike Mora.

“I think we have got a responsibility as hosts to offer manaakitangai, which is the host’s responsibility,” he said.

Mr Mora said city council staff who have been at work since 8-9am sitting through meetings “right to the bitter end” and won’t get home until 7-8pm at night,” he said.

City councillor Anne Galloway agreed it was important to offer manaakitangai which is why she suggested the board sets up a roster and bring food themselves.

Her idea was supported by deputy chairman Andrei Moore, but board member Debbie Mora said it would depend on whether other members could afford it.

The motion to remove catering was passed with support from all members of the board except Mr Mora. Board member Gamal Fouda was absent.