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Media release

Horowhenua District Council urged to apologise over emailing blocking

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The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has recommended the Horowhenua District Council apologise to the Mayor Michael Feyen and four others for blocking their emails.

They complained to the Ombudsman about being included on an email quarantine list where the council prevented their messages from going directly to staff.

Mr Boshier says the emails were diverted to the Council’s Chief Executive to be vetted — some without their knowledge.

“This practice ran contrary to the principles of transparency, accountability and fairness.”

Mr Boshier’s investigation focussed on the period from 2011 when this practice was first introduced until August 2017 when it was suspended.

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