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Mrs Lambert introduced the item, advising
that Mr Paku will speak to the Maori Committee recommendation on this matter and
Mrs Leeanne Hooper will provide responses to any technical process questions.
Technical queries and discussions traversed:
·
If the council passes a resolution to establish
Maori constituencies the detail of constituency boundaries and names will be determined
through the Representation Review
·
A separate poll on Maori Constituencies is
estimated to cost between $215-230,000, while a poll conducted as part of the
next local body elections would be less expensive as a proportion of the
total election costs
·
If HBRC establishes Maori constituencies,
those representatives will be elected by the voters on the Maori electoral
roll
·
RPC Act prescribes membership as being equal
representation, currently 9 tangata whenua and 9 elected representatives.
If total number of elected representatives on HBRC became 11 then the
‘equal representation’ issue would be resolved through proper
process, in agreement with the tangata whenua appointing bodies to the RPC.
Mike Paku, Deputy Chairman of the Māori Committee, advised Councillors that the feedback and results
of discussions with the Māori Community were overwhelmingly in favour of Māori representation at this council decision-making
table, also supported by the RPC, highlighting:
·
Consider the value that Maori bring to this
Council and this region, for example the Wastewater treatment plants in both
Hastings and Napier, and the value that Maori bring to the environment
·
Maori have an “umbilical”
relationship to the environment
·
Maori believe that they have the right to sit
at the HBRC table to enhance the decision making capability of the Council
·
It is not the view of all. Some feel that
Māori should not
participate at all, some that 2 Māori seats is not enough and that there should be a 50/50
partnership.
Questions, discussions and further comments covered:
·
How does the broader public feel? Should Council
consult with the wider community?
·
HBRC consulted with Māori, as they are directly affected. The rest of the community has
an opportunity if they want to demand a poll. No clue where the broader
community stands.
·
What value does Council place on Maori
representation around this table? The general public has 9 seats. Māori would like to add Māori representation to that to ensure
iwi have fair representation
·
Discussions held at the ‘formal’
Hui A Iwi but also more widely at tangi and other social gatherings to seek the
views of those unable to attend those scheduled events
·
Applaud the council’s Maori Committee
and enthusiastic about the RPC and the high level of representation of
advisory and decision making capacity on those committees
·
Value Maori contributions and participation by
Maori in NZ democracy, which is best in the world
·
give a voice to those not represented by
marae/hapu/iwi through representation for the broader Maori community is a compelling
argument in favour
·
Pros and cons with committees and elected
representatives
·
Only one Maori elected to general constituency
in history of HBRC. Very hard for Māori to stand and win a general seat. Treaty of Waitangi about
partnership and the voice of Maori has not been heard around this table
except for once.
·
Support for a poll at the next election so
that the people of HB can decide
·
Five councillors can make a decision to make a
significant change to electoral process for HBRC, and the only way to
overturn that is a poll which requires 7,000 people to sign a petition
·
Disappointment from community re NCC decision
not to have Maori wards
·
Do not support representation based on race,
religion or gender
·
Issue incredibly important to people in the
community
·
Recent divisions in the region with RWSS and
amalgamation
·
Approach should be evolutionary not
revolutionary
·
HBRC expressly about the environment, rivers,
streams, lakes, air, freshwater and coast and Maori have a view completely
different from the pakeha view
·
Time for HBRC to show leadership and establish
Maori constituencies even though it may not be a popular decision in some
quarters
·
An issue that goes back to the foundation of
this country - to give Maori a voice
General agreement was reached to seek
further advice from the Maori Committee and RPC tangata whenua
representatives about the option of Council further considering holding a
poll on Maori constituencies at the next election in 2019.
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