Similar case to ours; Council pulled out and paid $7,000 as a modest contribution to the Associations legal costs after a Judicial Review was pending a court hearing. I spoke with the Napier Association member Sandi Boyden for a good 25 minutes which was very helpful and it became evident the case is 100% the same as ours.
Similar mix of housing 1/3 Social, 1/3 Affordable, 1/3 Open Market (Ours being labeled Long term Worker Accomodation)
Without public consultation or engagement
Without proper consideration of the council’s significance and engagement policy
Decision to exclude the public from the meetings was not necessary for the council to carry out its duties without prejudice
In discussing the matter behind closed doors the council had “failed or refused to have regard to the principles of availability” under the Local Government (Official Information and Meetings) Act
Council had breached the Local Government 2002 Act by failing to act in an open, transparent and democratically accountable manner
Council didn’t reach any financial settlement but did make “a modest contribution of $7,000 to the Association’s legal costs
See article below.:
29 September 2022 - Lack of engagement over new social housing project angers Napier residents | Stuff.co.nz
19 December 2022 - Residents take council to High Court over proposed Kāinga Ora development | Stuff.co.nz
14 September 2023 - Council pulls out of land sale to Kāinga Ora as residents' court action looms
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