Squirms as protester makes her bleeding point

A woman slashed her arm with a knife in front of New Plymouth District councillors last night to prove she could bleed just like a Maori.

Some councillors squirmed in their seats and others later admitted feeling uncomfortable when Theresa Adamski, a Pakeha, twice cut the back of her wrist, causing blood to dribble from the wounds.

"Tell me, what is the difference between a person with brown skin and a person with white skin, apart from gender? We are all ratepayers ... I bleed too," Ms Adamski said as she cut herself.

Ms Adamski, 39, was addressing the council about a policy that would allow it to decide whether relevant iwi and hapu should be given first right of refusal on selected council properties for sale.

After the meeting, Ms Adamski said that despite making numerous representations in the past on the issue, she did not believe councillors were listening.

"I was thinking, I need to do something really dramatic to get their attention," she said.

Mayor Peter Tennent said he had been taking notes during Ms Adamski's cutting performance.

"If I had seen it I would have adjourned the meeting, organised medical help for the lady and then reconvened the meeting.

"What happened was inappropriate. I have got concerns and have contacted the crisis unit at the hospital and asked them to investigate and offer assistance if necessary and appropriate," Mr Tennent said.

Ms Adamski said she was shocked at Mr Tennent's call to the mental health crisis team.

"I think he is missing the point of what I was trying to make in my deputation.

"I feel that the council is very pro-Maori and not pro the ratepayer. I was just trying the best way I could to get my point across."

- NZPA