Media Release

28/08/2016

Michael Staite’s response to: The New Zealand Centre for Political Research regarding the appointment of Iwi Representatives with voting rights onto Council.

I feel so sad for our country and our communities that we still have concerned citizens who portray themselves as victims because some Councils aim to promote Pakeha understanding of Maori aspirations in a country where Maori so often face the “tyranny of the majority” whereby Maori views are frequently drowned as a minority in a majority Pakeha vote.

To quote the former New Plymouth Mayor - Andrew Judd:

“Whoever stands in any council, not only here in Taranaki but throughout New Zealand, and indeed for the government, to represent us – if your strong view is that a Māori ward or a seat on a standing committee isn’t required, and you say you represent us, what work or effort have you done to engage in a Maori perspective to actually understand the unique bicultural relationship we have with tangata whenua?”

I stand in these local elections for all our community of which Maori is but one part. If Maori contribution to our democracy through either appointment or election process enhances and strengthens the richness and wellbeing of our shared community – I am all for that.

If you really are a concerned citizen that endeavors to protect the democratic process, then place your energy on stopping the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). The TPPA takes away our democratic right to decide our own laws and policies in ways that best serve the national interest. It was negotiated in secret and there has been zero public input into the draft text of the agreement.

At least with Maori appointments or elections to Council – we can still debate the pros and cons of Maori representation, and to me that is democracy in action.

[Update:] the reason for my recent media release is below.

Dear Michael

Over recent times, significant pressure has been put on elected members of some local authorities to appoint iwi representatives with voting rights onto their councils. Since this changes the balance of power on councils, seriously undermining local representative democracy, it is an issue of crucial public importance.

Accordingly, as a concerned citizen, I am interested in where candidates stand on this matter, so that the responses can be communicated to voters via the website of the New Zealand Centre for Political Research.

I would therefore appreciate it if you could respond to the following three questions, by reply email, no later than 31st August 2016:

1) If you are elected, would you oppose iwi representatives being appointed onto your Council with voting rights?  YES/NO

2) If you are elected and a proposal to appoint iwi representatives with voting rights onto your Council wins majority support, would you counter it by proposing a public referendum so that the final decision is made by local ratepayers?  YES/NO

3) If your Council has already established iwi representatives with voting rights, will you move that the positions be disestablished so they can be reconsidered by the new council?  YES/NO

Many thanks for your help.

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