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Pieri Munro introduced the item, and discussions traversed:
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Dr Roger Maaka advised Te Taiwhenua o Tamatea
met this week and extended its unambiguous, unanimous support for Council to
establish of Māori constituencies
Roger Maaka
left the meeting at 1.51pm
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RPC tangata whenua views were provided in a
hui held yesterday morning, and subsequently by an email from Maungaharuru
Tangitu – unanimously in favour of Council establishing Māori constituencies by resolution
·
Additional commentary from RPC tangata whenua
expressed the need for a significant community engagement process to
communicate the resolution and foster understanding of why it’s a good
thing
·
Understand there may be a demand for a poll
however expressed the view that tangata whenua are ready so “bring it
on”
·
the number of Māori representatives/constituencies for the region is determined by
a specific calculation in the Local Electoral Act, based on the number of
councillors on the Council and the population of the region
·
korero has been going on for a long time and
tangata whenua were very disappointed with the previous Council’s
decision not to establish Māori constituencies the last time it was considered in 2017
·
Māori are mindful that Māori elected in general constituencies don’t have the mandate
of tangata whenua which they will have if they are elected by Māori constituencies
·
Wairoa Taiwhenua considered this at their AGM
and unanimously supported the establishment of Māori constituencies and were very disappointed when this was
previously rejected by Council by a slim majority
·
Tangata whenua have been waiting a long time
and are hopeful that the time is right and that the Tupuna are with Māori today to weigh in favour
·
The Treaty promised rangitiritanga and
kaitiaki of the environment and tangata whenua want to have a real
partnership with equal rights
·
Heretaunga Taiwhenua were supportive in 2017
and have not changed their position while remaining mindful of the pros and
cons
·
despite fears and apprehension associated with
a potential poll all tangata whenua consulted with say to Council “show
leadership, show strength, and vote in favour of Māori constituencies”
·
if Council does resolve to establish Māori constituencies that must be
notified by 30 November and there is then the potential for 5% of voters
enrolled at the last election to demand a poll to overturn the
Council’s decision. Should the result of a poll overturn
Council’s decision that would be effective for two elections and the
next time Council would be able to consider the establishment of Māori constituencies wouldn’t be
until after the 2025 election.
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View expressed that a referendum is a waste of
time and Council should advocate to central government to change the law to
legislate Māori seats
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Two regional councils and one district council
with Māori seats
currently. Seven councils have recently resolved to establish Māori wards or constituencies under
current LEA provisions
·
Unanimous response from tangata whenua at the
Māori Committee table
when asked whether they are prepared to take the risk of a poll was
“yes”.
·
Māori have always had to challenge the status quo, they have never
got change because it was the right thing to do.
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