HDC hopeful defends leaked email

• Published date: 28 March 2024
• Publication title: Hawkes Bay Today

Tākitimu Māori ward hopeful Michael Ngahuka wrote to the councillors ahead of a now-cancelled Drag Storytime event at the Hastings Library asking them to take a definitive moral stance on drag queens reading picture books to kids

Ngahuka wrote that there was “no neutral stance on this matter” and that those who chose not to comment by 5pm on Friday, March 22, would be publicly outed.

“Due to public request, I will be naming and shaming those councillors who are pro-perversion, for the public to see! Please inform me if you are for or against?” the email read.

The email was leaked to Hawke’s Bay Today on Tuesday as hundreds in the rainbow community attended an event of solidarity outside the library where the readings would have taken place on Wednesday. It celebrated diversity and inclusion and ended with minimal disruption.

But a person who had seen the email said it was far from the peaceful public attitude of Destiny Church on Wednesday, describing it as “threatening” in nature and “bordering on blackmail”.

A council spokesperson confirmed the email was sent to police. A police spokesperson said they were unable to comment, citing privacy.

Hastings council said on Tuesday the Drag Storytime with Erika and CoCo Flash event had to be cancelled due to the potential for safety issues and the “spread of misinformation”.

The two drag performers were scheduled to read stories about inclusivity and acceptance to children.

Ngahuka told Hawke’s Bay Today he had nothing against the rainbow community and what they chose to do but he stood by the email and called for more open discussions of moral issues regarding the spending of taxpayer money.

“At the end of the day, all I wanted to know was who was for it and who was against it.”

He said he had received no engagement from the council after sending a series of emails and believed it was pushing a “narrative” that Destiny Church was spreading disinformation, which he said was not the case.

”[Council] weren’t open to any democratic discussion or debate.”

He said he didn’t believe the emails were threatening and had “no concerns”.

“It’s really just about asking why this is happening, who pays for this, and the process so they can help us understand why this decision was made.

“It’s a question now of who is honest in the council,” he said.

“We need to look at the people we elect to lead us, so I’m very happy to stand for council.”

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