Councils split on letting Maori have special Super City seats

Auckland councils are divided on Maori seats on the Auckland Super City authority.

The Auckland Regional Council supports two Maori seats and Auckland City Council is opposed. Other councils, such as North Shore, Waitakere, Manukau and Papakura, are sitting on the fence.

A poll of 400 residents in Waitakere found 42 per cent supported Maori seats and 44 per cent opposed.

There are two Maori camps. The first supports the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance for two seats elected from the Maori roll and one mana whenua appointed by iwi. Urban Maori leaders, such as John Tamihere and Willie Jackson, are pushing the interests of their constituency under this model.

The second camp, led by Ngati Whatua and Tainui, wants two mana whenua seats with the candidates chosen by an electoral college and elected via the Maori roll.

Few submitters objected to Maori seats when the Auckland governance select committee heard public submissions last month.

One powerful business group, the Employers and Manufacturers (Northern), supported three Maori seats.

DIFFERENCE OF OPINION

Where Auckland councils stand on Maori seats for the Auckland Super City

Auckland City Council - opposed.
Manukau City Council - supports, but wants Maori to determine method and numbers.
North Shore City Council - supports consideration of Maori seats.
Waitakere City Council - supports, but wants Government to decide.
Auckland Regional Council - supports two Maori seats.
Papakura District Council - opposed, but wants mana whenua (tribal) forum to involve Maori in decision-making.
Franklin District Council - no position.
Rodney District Council - no position.