Editorial: Plan a step closer to reality

People gathered to witness the Te Arawa partnership vote in May.

One of the most controversial partnerships in Rotorua's history is a step closer to becoming a reality.

We reveal today the 27 people who have been nominated to sit on the new Te Arawa Partnership Board. Fourteen will be elected and from that representatives will be chosen to sit on two key Rotorua Lakes Council committees. With voting rights - the sticking point many opponents of the plan felt to be non-democratic.

Throughout the consultation process there was debate, name-calling, protests and stacks of letters to the editor. The issue graced the front pages of this newspaper more often than few local council stories have in recent years.

Then the plan got the tick and there was relative public silence, as work began behind the scenes. The announcement of the 27 names represents an important step forward.

The list of contenders contains some well-qualified and familiar names, who are undoubtedly motivated to make a difference to their iwi and community as a whole.

It's up to the board, councillors and council staff to make sure the partnership decision is vindicated, by the manner in which it is implemented.

It's also up to the public to accept, if they haven't already, that it's a done deal. It's time to move on, leave resentment in the past and give Te Arawa board representatives - whoever they may be - a fair chance to contribute before making any further judgments.