A Wānaka councillor has asked Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) to review its community facility hiring guidelines after two controversial events were held in local halls.

Complaints from members of the public were made about the Jab in the Dark book tour (held at the Lake Wānaka Centre last month) and the Counterspin Media roadshow event at the Hāwea Flat Hall on Saturday evening (June 11).

“We all have our own opinions and we do need to be careful as a council about where we draw that line but I do think it is something, as a council, to look at,” QLDC community services general manager Thunes Cloete told the Wānaka App.

The Jab in the Dark event promoted a book (from Tross Publishing) which claimed to “expose the myth” that the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine is safe and effective. The book says the government has used the Covid-19 pandemic as an excuse to “exercise control over the lives and movements” of New Zealanders.

More than 200 people attended the event.

Saturday’s event, which was attended by close to 100 people, was one of a series of public meetings around the country by Counterspin Media, which claims to focus on stories “the mainstream media ignores, misrepresents or fabricates”. The group, which live streamed from the February anti-mandate protests at parliament, includes as a “trusted media” source Damien De Ment, who called for a “bloodless coup” to overthrow Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern late last year.

The group was turned away from various facilities in the Southern region, but Counterspin spokesperson Kelvyn Alp told the Wānaka App the Hāwea Flat Hall booking was “pretty straight forward”.

Wānaka councillor Niamh Shaw said she has asked the council to begin the process of looking at terms and conditions for the use of facilities.

“We do assess who applies. The bar has to be pretty high before council impinges on freedom of speech.

“It’s a tricky line to walk. Do we need to lower the bar?”

Thunes said a few community members had reported concerns about both events. 

There was a discussion about the Counterspin event with the council’s legal team and chief executive Mike Theelen, who gave the go-ahead, Thunes said.

“Our rules and regulations are quite broad. The challenge for us is where do you draw the line?

It’s not an easy answer. People feel they have a right to speak.” 

Thunes said council staff could take the issue to councillors and the legal team in a workshop or discussion.

Deputy mayor Calum MacLeod and councillor Quentin Smith both declined to comment.

The Wānaka App went along to the Counterspin event to see what the fuss was about. That report will be available next week.

PHOTO: Wānaka App