Strong support for Maori seats on Western Bay council

Reon Tuanau (Ngai Te Rangi) has backed the creation of Maori seats on the Western Bay District Council. Photo/file

A majority of councillors have backed a recommendation that could end up guaranteeing Maori representation on the Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

The Western Bay's joint Maori/council partnership forum agreed unanimously on November 10 that there should be representation through the creation of Maori seats for the 2019 and 2022 elections.

Only three of Western Bay's 11 councillors were not present at the forum meeting. They were Margaret Murray-Benge, John Palmer and Mike Williams. Mayor Garry Webber attended the meeting.

The recommendation from the forum would be considered at tomorrow's "in principle" decision on Maori electoral wards. The number of Maori wards and the impact on overall representation would be debated next year in the council's representation review.

Reon Tuanau (Ngai Te Rangi) told the forum that there was a mandate for change arising from a changing political climate in New Zealand. He talked about the increasing economic influence of tangata whenua and the natural progression in the relationship between tangata whenua and the council.

Others stressed how Maori wards would allow more opportunities for council to understand the issues of whanau, hapu and iwi.

Kevin Tohiariki (Te Whanau o Tauwhao) said hurdles that lay ahead of the final decision on Maori wards included interpretations of democracy and the view that the wards were separatist. He said both these issue could be refuted.

Buddy Mikaere (Ngati Pukenga) said the growth of the district was creating more social issues. The council should take a bigger role to address the widening gap between rich and poor.

If tomorrow's council meeting agreed to establish Maori wards, Western Bay electors could demand a poll on the issue, costing $70,000. The demand for a poll needed to be supported by 5 per cent of Western Bay residents who were eligible to vote in this year's General Election - or 1708 people.

Campaigners for a poll needed to have gathered the signatures by February 21 next year in order for a poll to be held by May 21.

The recommendation to tomorrow's meeting by community services manager Erica Holtsbaum was to decide whether or not the council established Maori wards.

Alternatively, the meeting could decide to hold a binding poll on whether one or more Maori wards were established.

Whakatane District Council last week agreed to establish Maori wards. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has had three Maori electorates since the 2004 election.

Issues for representation review
- Communities of interest
- Effective representation
- Fair representation
Source Western Bay District Council