Maori don't need special treatment - Kaumatua

A Te Arawa kaumatua and former Te Arawa Standing Committee member has spoken out against the iwi's preferred partnership model with council saying it was patronising and "indicates we lack confidence in Maori ability".

Jim Gray said he didn't disagree with iwi having a better relationship with Rotorua Lakes Council, or the proposal to form a new Te Arawa Board, in principle.

"But I am concerned by a process which is effectively legislation, I'd trust that 160 years after the Treaty that we'd be able to stand on our own."

Mr Gray felt that Maori should have the same chance as any other community group, and didn't need any special treatment.

"We should be able to present our case and attempt to get representatives on committees without having mandatory members."

Today, the council will decide if it will endorse Te Arawa's proposal to have two members sit on council committees with speaking and voting rights.

But, according to Waiariki MP and Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell, the proposal was not the iwi's first attempt at having a meaningful presence around the council table.

"We are here at this point in time after many years of trying other options, the Te Arawa Standing Committee came about because of a need; there have been many attempts, by both individuals and groups, to have Te Arawa voices heard."

Supporters of the proposal say the standing committee often struggled to be heard since it formed in 1993.

Mr Flavell said a lot of frustration built up over the years as the committee was rarely listened to and few of their recommendations were picked up.

This frustration came to a head with two high profile resignations in 2009.

Piki Thomas resigned from the committee in August of that year saying non-Maori had too much influence, and the late Hawea Vercoe said it had "no-teeth" and wasn't taken seriously by the council when he resigned in October 2009.

Te Arawa released a statement saying the purpose of the proposal was to make Te Arawa a valued partner, and that they don't believe they were requesting race based privileges.

"The mere fact that people are jumping up and down about this shows why it's needed. Maori have found the only way to have a voice is to have a seat at the table," Mr Flavell said.