About 100 people protested in central Christchurch on Thursday against the Government's sacking of the elected members of the Canterbury Regional Council.
Protestors say government's sacking of Canterbury Regional Council is a breach of natural justice Photo: RNZ / Jemma Brackebush
Thursday marked four years to the day since the Government appointed seven commissioners to replace the 14 elected councillors, following a critical external report on the way the Council was being run.
An organiser of the rally in Cathedral Square, Rosalie Snoyink said it represents a breach of natural justice that Cantabrians do not have a say on how the regional council manages issues such as fresh water.
She said river water quality has declined in the four years the commissioners have been in place.
Complaint lodged with UN
The Labour Party has written to the United Nations to complain about the Government's decision to not allow Canterbury Regional Council elections.
Labour MP Ruth Dyson, said the Government is denying Cantabrians their democratic rights by not allowing people to elect councillors.
She said she read the external report and believed there was nothing wrong with how the regional council was operating.
Ms Dyson said the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations can investigate the issue of the Government not allowing regional elections, twice.