Editorial: Rejection of Maori seats a mistake

There has been no bigger feather in the Government's cap than that produced by its progressive approach to Maori issues. New territory rich in promise for both the National Party and the country has been tapped thanks to John Key's inclusive urge.

A confidence and supply agreement with the Maori Party was the initial fruit of a partnership that seemed set to blossom.

Until now, that is.

The Cabinet's decision to reject Maori seats on the Super City Auckland Council is a retrograde step that undoes much that has been accomplished over the past nine months.

There are several disquieting aspects. The first, and most obvious, is the disregarding of the strong case for Maori to have dedicated seats on the council. This was the wish of the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance, which thoroughly researched the subject and gave it considerable prominence. Providing two seats, as a compromise, would recognise the distinctive character and interest of the Maori community. It would also be far more significant as a gesture than in terms of its practical ramifications.

After the rush of blood that led National to reject the seats following the release of the royal commission report, it seemed, initially, that Mr Key wanted to find a compromise. A hikoi up Queen St in late May highlighted the depth of Maori discontent, and the degree to which the party had painted itself into a corner for no good reason. A subcommittee dealing specifically with Maori seats was established as part of the special select committee that heard public submissions on Auckland's new governance structure. This seemed both a response to Maori discontent and the harbinger of a workable compromise.

However, other factors have also been weighing on Mr Key. As far back as June 3, more than a month before the first select committee hearing, the Minister of Local Government, Rodney Hide, told the Prime Minister he would resign his portfolio if there were to be Maori seats on the Auckland Council. According to the Act leader, this prompted a suggestion from Mr Key that the seats could be introduced as an amendment to the Super City legislation. That was rejected by Mr Hide.

Mr Key's subsequent unwillingness to contest the issue with the Act leader has, in retrospect, been apparent for some time. If he had had a mind to accept Maori seats, he could easily have prepared the ground and framed the debate through statements touching on the issue. Instead, he has steadfastly refused to indicate which way the Government was leaning.

Yesterday, Mr Key was clearly keen to take the issue off the table. But in so doing, he erred by paying no heed to normal parliamentary process. The select committee is to report back by September 4. The announcement of the Cabinet decision has effectively rendered redundant one of its key recommendations. National MP Tau Henare, the chairman of the Maori seats sub-committee, has been seeking a compromise. Anything that he may have achieved has also been sidelined by the Cabinet's unwillingness to let the parliamentary process play out.

Mr Key has been careful to frame this decision so it does not appear the Cabinet is yielding to Mr Hide. But that will do nothing to placate the Maori Party. Nor will the meagre alternatives for pronouncing the Maori view offered to it. The royal commission gave Maori reason to expect seats on the Auckland Council. As negotiations have proceeded, the party has diluted its demands. Even this has proved to no avail. The Prime Minister has chosen the easiest and perhaps the most electorally advantageous course. In doing so, he has overlooked an inclusive approach that is in the best interests of the country.