John Pakes' letter (December 12) attempts to use the recent addition of Lakes and Rural community board representatives to each of two committees of council to legitimatise the "back door" access already provided to two unelected nominees from Te Tatau o Te Arawa to each of the same committees.
He suspects racism was behind the resistance and concludes that recent silence means acceptance. Nonsense.
The democratically elected Lakes and Rural community boards' members were mandated by the community to help govern our people. They govern with the people's consent.
Te Tatau o Te Arawa is the authentic political arm of Te Arawa and was elected by their diaspora to advance their tribal interests.
The rest of us have not given our consent for them to be given automatic and permanent governance power.