Māori representation in the Super City please

A lack of Māori representation at all levels of the Super City is going to be detrimental to the future of Auckland, the Green Party said today.

Yesterday’s annual report by the Human Rights Commission rated having an effective voice for Māori in the Super City as one of New Zealand’s top 10 race relations priorities for 2010.

“By denying adequate Māori representation at all levels of the Super City, Mr Hide has guaranteed further unnecessary economic and social barriers to achieving the stated goals of reforming Auckland's governance,” Green Party Super City Spokesperson David Clendon said.

“Māori are already major land holders and economic players in Auckland, and that will only increase as the Tiriti settlement process unfolds. If Mr Hide’s goal is to alienate a major powerhouse for future development in Auckland, then he is doing a fantastic job.

“It just makes sense, in terms of economic management and social well-being, to include local iwi and hapu at a representative level in the decision making process.

“This major restructuring of Auckland has ignored Tiriti obligations. Uneven boundary changes and forced Council Controlled Organisations will decrease representation in the Super City, not least of all for Māori.

“One in four Māori live in Auckland so Tiriti needs to be respected and not ignored.

“Mr Hide has also ignored the Royal Commission’s advice of a 23 member council at the expense of Māori and settled on the arbitrary number of 20.

“Māori stand to lose their voice in Auckland if Mr Hide does not take steps to ensure adequate representation,” said Mr Clendon.

LINKS

Human Rights Commission Report
http://www.hrc.co.nz/hrc_new/hrc/cms/files/documents/08-Mar-2010_14-17-15_HRC_RR_Report_2009web.pdf

ENDS

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