Maori board will have influence - Sharples

An independent statutory board to promote issues of importance to tangata whenua and Maori is absolutely essential for tangata whenua to be involved in the Auckland Council as Treaty partners, says the Minister of Maori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples.

“Although the current proposals for the Council preclude Treaty partners at the top table, tangata whenua and Maori will certainly lobby for two seats to be restored,” said Dr Sharples.

“With or without the two seats, the board will play a vital role in allowing input from mana whenua and Maori interests to be reflected in the Council’s strategy, policies and plans. The board will have access to information on the Council’s business and planning, so it can set an agenda of mana whenua and Maori issues to be considered by the Council,” he said.

“The Council will have to take into account the advice of the board; the board will appoint people onto Council committees, especially those that deal with natural and physical resources; and Council decisions or particular tasks may be delegated to the board.

“So the board will provide a broad and open channel for their views to be communicated to the Council and deliberated upon,” he said.

“The Board will comprise up to seven mandated representatives of mana whenua who wish to participate; and up to two more representatives for taura here groups. I will be responsible for the mandating process, and I look forward to working with Tainui and Ngati Whatua to ensure balanced representation,” said Dr Sharples.

“Alongside the board, the Council may also get more input than this from Maori, through the Resource Management and Local Government Acts. For example, the Council has the power to create Maori wards, leading to Maori seats on the Council.

“Most of all, I hope there will be mana whenua and Maori representatives at the top table, through the right people standing and being elected to the Council,” he said.