Mayor blocks bid for open debate on Maori Board

Mayor Len Brown. Photo / Greg Bowker

Secrecy surrounds a new funding plan for the Maori Statutory Board after Mayor Len Brown yesterday crushed a move by many councillors for an open debate on the issue.

Mr Brown, who campaigned last year on openness and transparency, did not want councillors speaking publicly about one of the biggest embarrassments of his six months in the Super City hot seat.

He gathered 11 votes, just enough to stop nine councillors who wanted to debate the council's new negotiating position with the board in public.

Said councillor Cathy Casey: "It is time to speak out, say what you think and own your words."

But Mr Brown, with the backing of his deputy Penny Hulse and nine councillors, defeated a motion by Ms Casey to bring the item on the finance committee agenda into the open.

The mayor said the best way to get a resolution with the Maori Statutory Board was in confidence, which he hoped would be wrapped up in the next day or so to avoid court action.

Mr Brown was not keen on the different views of councillors being heard in public, saying the last time that occurred there was not a lot of progress on the funding plan.

The council is involved in a legal fight with the board after responding to a public uproar and cutting its annual budget from $3.4 million to $1.9 million.

The nine-member board has gone to the High Court to challenge the decision, saying the $3.4 million budget met the "reasonable" costs of the board as set out in the legislation that set it up.

The matter is set for a court hearing on May 2.

A group of three councillors has been continuing dialogue with the board and prepared a new negotiating position that was the subject of yesterday's confidential meeting.

Councillor Mike Lee supported the matter being debated in open, saying: "I for one object to having to negotiate under the gun of legal threats paid for by our own ratepayers."

Councillor Cameron Brewer said it was outrageous that councillors were shut out of exercising a frank debate. Councillor Arthur Anae said the key word was negotiation and the council should not negotiate any form of business in public or in the media.

Board chairman David Taipari expected to receive a copy of the council's latest negotiating position for the board to consider today behind closed doors.

HOW THEY VOTED

11 FOR SECRECY

Mayor Len Brown, Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, Arthur Anae, Sandra Coney, Alf Filipaina, Michael Goudie, Ann Hartley, Richard Northey, Noelene Raffills, Wayne Walker, Penny Webster.

9 FOR OPENNESS

Cameron Brewer, Cathy Casey, Christine Fletcher, Mike Lee, Des Morrison, Calum Penrose, Sharon Stewart, Sir John Walker, George Wood.