Te Arawa: We do not want to see a divided community

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The newly formed Rotorua Pro-Democracy Society says Te Arawa is seeking "disproportionate power". It says officials' advice on the partnership proposal with the Rotorua Lakes Council shows a bias with Mayor Steve Chadwick and supporters favouring "their own ideologically driven preferences."

But former members of the Te Arawa Standing Committee said they did not want to see a divided community and invited the group to discuss its concerns.

A statement from them yesterday said the iwi was not seeking more power, the proposed model was democratic, and its purpose was to establish a stronger relationship between the council and Te Arawa that would benefit the wider community.

Te Arawa's preferred model for partnership with the Rotorua Lakes Council has been endorsed by iwi and is being formally presented to the council tomorrow afternoon.

The proposal would see the establishment of an independent board of up to 14 members, outside of the council structure, to be elected or appointed by Te Arawa. They said they believe the proposal will lead to more inclusive democratic processes and encourage greater participation in local government.

The former members note Te Arawa is not requesting a seat on the full council, only on subcommittees. Councils can put non-elected people on committees under delegated authority.

There was precedent with the Rotorua Lakes Council audit and risk committee having an external member, and with the former tourism committee.

"As far as we are aware, no one has challenged these arrangements as undemocratic" the statement said.

This misses the point according to the society. It said it had received dozens of expressions of support.

"The main issue of concern by far is the proposal to allow a minority to appoint unelected members to council committees," the society said.

"Adopting [Te Arawa's preferred option] will adversely and substantially dilute the democratic rights of citizens in our district."

The standing committee statement said: "This isn't about democracy per se. This is a discussion about our willingness as a community to work together, to acknowledge the past and to move forward in the spirit of partnership to achieve a positive, shared future for the Rotorua community."

The standing committee said it invited the society to discuss its concerns with Te Arawa directly. "If we are a truly democratic society, then we should be willing to have an informed debate on such matters, as opposed to making assumptions, scaremongering and pushing political agendas through the media. We certainly don't want to see a divided community and the best way to avoid this is to discuss our concerns and aspirations with respect, humility and a common commitment to improve our district."