maori representation in local govt

D I V E R S I T Y F O R U M S E S S I O N

2 2 A U G U S T 2 0 11

H U M A N R I G H T S C O M M I S S I O N

P R E S E N TAT I O N B Y

C AT R I O N A S C A N N E L L

Māori Representation in Local Government

Content:

• Commission’s work and reporting

• Correspondence with councils

• Coverage of recent council activity and controversy

Human Rights Commission research

Local Electoral Amendment Act 2002 provisions

Environment Bay of Plenty Regional Council example

Recommends councils consult with Māori as to their preferred option and support the option Māori prefer

Commission writes to Councils

Letters to councils in March, urging them to consider establishing Māori wards or constituencies

Urging discussion with Māori, not about Māori

7 councils replied

Commission writes to Councils

The Commission wrote to councils again in July, requesting information: Has your council considered, or does it plan to

consider before 23 November 2011, the establishment of Māori wards or constituencies?

How many councillors are there on your council, and of those, how many are of Māori descent

Commission writes to Councils

Of the 75 councils we wrote to: 43 have responded so far 21 will be consulting and/or considering the Māori

wards option by 23 November 8 have considered the option and rejected it, in some

cases choosing other options 5 will consider option before 2016 elections

Councils consider Māori representation

Controversial issue, played out at council and community meetings and in the media

Councils who have considered the option recently include: New Plymouth District Council Palmerston North City Council South Taranaki District Council Nelson City Council

New Plymouth District Council

Councillor Howie Tamati, one of three who voted for the proposal

In May New Plymouth District Council voted against proposal to establish 2 Māori seats

Instead the proposal will be included on the 2013 local body election ballot papers

Palmerston North City Council

Planning and policy committee has voted 8-5 against establishing Māori wards

Will go to full council vote in late August

South Taranaki District Council

In July, Council voted 10-5 against establishing Māori wards

Iwi Liaison Committee represents the 4 local iwi. Some on the Committee preferred other options, such as increasing the Iwi Liaison Committee.

Nelson City Council

Proposed merge of Nelson and Tasman Councils

Nelson Council consulted Kotahitanga forum on options. Agreed to proposal of Māori ward + Māori Community Board.

Tasman District Council opposes merge

At Whakatū marae, Nelson

Nelson City Council

Your experiences

What else needs to be done locally and nationally to ensure Māori are

represented effectively in Local Government?