The professor at the University of Otago Business School, Dr. Robert Hamlin, who was at Simms’s Future Dunedin Ticket, caused alarm among his teachers when he sent an and email to use Karakia before a meeting.
“Although I know that these karakia are described as” volunteers “, their inclusion as a specific item on the official agenda suggests that active participation in this enchantment is” officially “recommended.
“This particular Karakia is clearly a religious prayer that refers to a specific deity … I think this factor in itself is a cause for concern,” said the email.
Karakia is used to invoke spiritual orientation and protection and is also considered a formal greeting when starting a ceremony.
The email was sent everywhere, leading Prof Maree Thyne of Chancellor Commerce Pro-Vice to join the email chain to defend the use of Karakia, saying they have increased the team’s cultural competence.
Asked if he was still with the opinions he expressed last year, Dr. Hamlin said yesterday.
Dr. Hamlin said it would be “unlikely” ‘Mr. Simms would be aware of his opinions about Karakia, as so far’ ‘was widely an internal subject.’
Simms initially distanced himself from Dr. Hamlin’s opinions, indicating that he would be able to stay on the ticket, but called Otago Daily Times a hour later to say he had talked to Dr. Hamlin and the two decided to separate.
“We are gathering a team that supports Mana when and the use of Karakia.
“We can only assume that Dr. Hamlin’s objection to Karakia would cross our group, and there is really no room for it in our group.”
He decided to separate from Dr. Hamlin after seeing the and email chain, he said.
Dr. Hamlin later told Otago Daily Times that his departure from the ticket was “not by mutual agreement.”
He had not yet decided if he still wanted to run for the Council.
The Otago University could not make comments yesterday.
However, in the exchange of emails, Professor Thyne said one of the university’s goals was equity – which included supporting Maori culture and literacy and “offering opportunities of cultural competence through the practice of Karakia and Waiata is a way to equip our people.”
“I support all my heart and have participated in Wananga weekly to all employees … to help the team in developing cultural competence and helping us reach our view of being a university led by Tiriti.”
Speaking to the ODT, Dr. Hamlin said he assumed a particular problem with the religious aspect of Karakia in question.
“There are several people who have religious beliefs in universities and no matter what kind of religious beliefs, you can be a Christian, Muslim or Hindu.
“But to be forced to sing at a meeting and offer their prayers to Rongo, the supreme sacredness in the sky above, because the orientation at this meeting is not only inappropriate, I believe it is also a violation of the human rights law.”
Asked about the university’s response to his views, Dr. Hamlin said “you would need to talk to the highest people.”
“The and emails received in response were that this practice was supported. When I say this practice, I mean making people sing Karakia, instead of not making them sing Karakia. ”
Occasionally Dr. Hamlin contributes to the ODT’s opinion pages, but is not a paid member of the team.
matthew.ltlewood@odt.co.nz
