Maori fight to reverse 'stupid' ditching of seats

Iwi are still holding on to the hope that the Prime Minister will reverse the "stupid" scrapping of the Maori seats for the Auckland Super City.

Ngati Whatua o Orakei have met Auckland Pacific Island leaders to discuss Monday's planned Super City hikoi as well as how the groups could act more strategically to support each other's future political aims.

Iwi leader Joe Hawke said the tribe had let PM John Key know what they thought of the decision when he visited them recently.

"I told him in no uncertain terms how it was a takahi - a deep insult - to us... because of the great amount of land our tipuna [ancestors] gave to Pakeha [to establish Auckland]. He was absolutely stuttering, he was spluttering and he was trying to get out of a bad situation."

However, Ngati Whatua believed the hikoi could bring to bear the pressure needed to change things, said Mr Hawke, a former Labour list MP. "This group here is going to force a change on a stupid, stupid decision."

Tangata whenua wanted support from minorities whose Pacific history mirrored their own, he said.

Representatives of the four city councils' Pacific advisory committees attended the meeting with Ngati Whatua, and many called for a collaborative long-term approach on shared issues, including representation.

Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce chairman Ulu Aiono said a strategic meeting of minds had been too long in coming - especially as there were natural alignments in aims between the groups.

The Super City was the tip of the iceberg in ways their political leaders could work together, Mr Aiono said. "Without strategy we'll never be able to participate fully."

Last night, at a public meeting hosted by Waitakere MP Paula Bennett, Waipareira Trust CEO John Tamihere strongly criticised the scrapping of Maori representation.

He and trust members unveiled a 6m banner that read "No Super City Without Maori".

"We supported the royal commission of inquiry's recommendations for Maori," Mr Tamihere said.

"Three [Maori seats] from 23 seats would not have taken away from Pakeha."