The Human Rights' Review Tribunal has reserved its decision on a complaint by a Whangarei man that Whangarei District Council breached his privacy.
A two-day hearing began in the city on Monday after Wayne Deeming went to the tribunal seeking $40,000 for hurt, humiliation, loss of dignity and injury to feelings and aggravated damages of $10,000.
Mr Deeming wrote to then Whangarei mayor Stan Semenoff about an alleged incident at the Mid-Western Rugby and Squash Club on August 8, 2009, which, in Mr Deeming's view, raised issues about the club's adherence to the provisions of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 administered by the council.
Mr Deeming said his complaint was sent by the mayor's assistant, Ford Watson, to Cr Shelley Deeming who in turn sent it to Paul McDowell, president of the Mid-Western Rugby and Squash Club. Mr Deeming alleges the council breached the Privacy Act by disclosing to a third party, or parties, he had lodged the complaint. Mr Deeming claims he was harassed by Mr McDowell at his home on August 19, 2009, causing him to fear for his safety, and that he received a lifetime ban from the club. He said reports in the now defunct New Zealand Truth led to hurt and humiliation to him and his family.
