Maori make move on Auckland Council | Auckland News | Local News in Auckland

The Auckland Council has been taken by surprise as Maori are claiming votes on all its committees and forums. Edward Rooney reports.

Two Maori representatives are being lined up to join almost all Auckland Council committees as voting members. In some cases, the two could wield substantial sway over decision-making - some committees have as few as five members.

The move has taken some at council by surprise, as they were apparently unaware of the Maori Statutory Board's ability to make the appointments. In a structure drawn up by the council on December 14, there is provision for Maori representatives on just four committees.

Board chairman David Taipari says 20 of the council's committees, panels and forums will have two Maori representatives at the table for meetings.

These bodies' responsibilities range over almost all the council's activities - future vision, strategy and finance, transport, regulations and bylaws, social and community development, parks and heritage.

"We asked the council for its requirements in regards to skills and expertise that it wanted for the members to join the committees prior to Christmas and we did not get a response back," he says.

"So, rather than wait any further, we have nominated two names for each of the majority of the committees. We have considered what skills they should have and we have put those names forward."

Asked if the public seemed aware of the Maori appointments, Mr Taipari replies: "I'm starting to find out that that's probably not the case. I believe the council has yet to get its head around it. But have we gained the balance of power? I would say we have not. What we have gained is an opportunity to participate.

"In my view, the council will always be in control of the make-up of the committees. If the council is unhappy, it can change the make-up of the committees by the flick of the wrist or the stroke of a pen. I just hope it's not made a mockery of."

Many Maori were disappointed when Local Government Minister Rodney Hide refused to establish a specific Maori seat on the Auckland Council. But Mr Taipari says the committee appointments have offset that: "I believe Mr Hide was supportive of mana whenua and Maori participation."

Mr Taipari says all the nominees are members of the nine-strong Maori Statutory Board "at this stage". The board was appointed by an iwi selection body convened by Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples in October.

Mr Taipari says the Maori members will put tangata whenua views to the committees during decision-making and vote accordingly.

The capacity for the board to make the appointments was written into the Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Act 2010.

"It is a requirement under the  act and our advice is that we basically align with all of the committees of council," Mr Taipari says. "We are happy to appoint members to the committees."

The council has very little comment to make on the issue. A spokesman confirms there is a provision for the board to appoint members to committees.

"That process is now underway," he says. "The next discussions on this will take place next month."

Meanwhile, Mr Taipari says the Maori Statutory Board would reconsider the names it has nominated to join the committees if the council wishes.

"I'd like to get an understanding of these committees and their requirements also," he says. "Then we'll report back to the council to make sure we have the right people there. But as things stand, I'm quite sure we do."

Furthermore, the board would like Maori representative on other council bodies, such as the Hauraki Gulf Forum and the Culture Arts and Events Forum.

The Maori Statutory Board has already been chided by Mayor Len Brown after closing its first meeting to the media. A spokesman for Mr Brown said at the time the board should make its meetings open to the public wherever possible.

Mr Taipari says his board will be as open as possible.

"It would be silly to make a blanket statement on the matter. Even the council has had some closed meetings themselves."

Maori membership

Section 85 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Act 2010 says:

Board's specific functions (1) The board must appoint a maximum of 2 persons to sit as members on each of the Auckland Council's committees that deal with the management and stewardship of natural and physical resources.

(2) If the Auckland Council asks the board to appoint a person or persons to sit as members on any other of the Council's committees, the board may do so.

(3) The board must, -

(a) before making the appointments, seek the views of the Auckland Council as to the skills and experience that the Council would like the appointees to have; and

(b) when making the appointments, take the views of the Auckland Council into account.

(4) The board must consider a request by the Auckland Council that the board accept the delegation of a function by the Council.

(5) The board must act in accordance with a delegation that it has accepted.