Partnering with Mana Whenua
Working with mana whenua, Kāi Tahu, is a key part of any Council triennium.
Otago Regional Council Pre-election Report 2022
We have a treaty-based partnership embedded in the Long-term Plan 2021/31. Highlights of the work at governance level this triennium include a strengthened Mana to Mana forum, a partnership approach to the Land and Water Regional Plan and having iwi at the table for the Strategy and Planning Committee.
Also, adopting He Mahi Rau Rika, which explains the nature of the partnership in more detail and is available on our website (He Mahi Rau Rika). A partnership hui at Ōtākou Marae will be one of the newly elected Council’s first engagements following the inaugural Council meeting, which underscores the strong significance and importance of the partnership.
This explains the current partnership with the mana whenua, Kāi Tahu.
Māori constituencies are possible
A number of local authorities have recently resolved to establish Māori wards or constituencies for this election and the next one. Māori wards or constituencies guarantee Māori representation on a local authority and provides Māori representation on a local authority. They also provide for Māori participation in council decision-making required under the Local Government Act 2002. The Otago Regional Council has not resolved to introduce Māori Ward(s) for this current election.
I’m looking forward to learning why the Otago Regional Council hasn’t taken this opportunity. I’d hope that the partnership can be strengthened with participation at the Council table.
Ross, democracy allows for Maori representation – as it does for all races in N.Z. Everyone, regardless of their race, should be voted in (or out ) by the public.
Special rules for Maori only is racism – pure and simple
Thanks for your comment Colin. First thing, you better look at what the Otago Regional Council has in place for mana whenua participation and representation already. Secondly, there is a democratic process for Māori constituencies which allows for voters on the Māori electoral roll to elect representatives. The ORC didn’t introduce this for this election. Would you be in favour of the next council introducing it to overcome your concerns about voting in or out? Thirdly I’m pleased that I have alerted you to my thoughts on this, and helped you to decide who to vote for. Fourthly, the Regional Council is an environment organisation and I find my environmental views closely aligned with the mana whenua views so I have no fears about their current and future representation, quite the opposite. It is a partnership already, which I suport strengthening.
Colin. There are already special rule for one race; those with white privilege. That sentence will probably send you over an edge into apocalyptic rage, but perhaps relax with some creamy milk chocolate 🍫. Look for the new Whittakers bar. The Māori wards go a little way to righting many, many broken contracts and attempts at destroying Māori through legislation and economic starvation. However, my understanding is that Kāi Tahu have asked that there are no Māori wards here for the current time. It is fair to respect their wishes and acknowledge that over 100 years of attempts to destroy them cannot be righted with wards. Ngā mihi ki a koe.
Kia ora. Thankyou for your comments Tab.
The reason I mentioned the option of wards is that there is a lot of noise about Māori representation on Councils being “undemocratic” so I suppose I was trying to point out that there is a democratic process available already. I admit it hadn’t occurred to me that the lack of Māori wards was at the request of the Kāi Tahu. I can imagine why that might be the case. I’ve seen that a special Act of Parliament passed recently expanding the Environment Canterbury Council to include two members put forward by the Ngāi Tahu. If that’s the process Kāi Tahu want in Otago then I’d fully support it.
You have to remember that my schooling was in the 1960s and my knowledge (and lack thereof) partly reflects that. And that a lot of us older people are in the same boat. Travels around the North Island last decade started my re-education. I’ve got a lot of learning to do. Thanks for helping me on this important part of it. Ngā mihi nui.
There is racism already. It is called white privilege.