Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Appointing iwi representatives an attack on democracy
Democracy Action is very concerned by Otago Regional Council’s move to appoint two Ngāi Tahu representatives to the Council, with full voting rights on the Council’s powerful Policy Committee.
Democracy Action Chairman, Lee Short, says:
“Ngāi Tahu are big business. The potential for conflicts of interest to arise are too great to ignore. To have representatives of a significant commercial entity appointed to serve their own interests is a very serious and unwelcome departure from our democratic and egalitarian principles”.
“Councillors would be acting with no mandate from the citizens of Otago. Such a move must be put to the people to decide whether iwi representation on council is in the best interests of the district.”
Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
Gordon Campbell: On Children’s Book Classics - The Moomins
Zero Waste Network Aotearoa: Container Return Scheme Bill Would Double Recycling Rates And Put Money Back In Households
Wellington City Council: Statement From The Wellington Mayoral Forum On Options For Regional Governance Reform
MUNZ: TAIC Report On Kaitaki Incident Gives Shocking Picture Of Decline Of NZ Maritime Infrastructure
Greenpeace: New Climate Report Yet More Reason To Reduce Dairy Herd
Better Public Media: Opposing Plans To Scrap The BSA
Internal Affairs: Citizenship Test For Citizenship By Grant Applicants From Late 2027
