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3 News // Auckland Council // Auckland Unitary Plan // Bruce Moon // Censorship // David Cull // Hauraki Gulf // In the Media // Len Brown // Local government // Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act // Mike Lee // Māori seats // Māori wards // PAUP // Referendum // Take Action // Video // Winston Peters //


Revealed: Auckland Council spends $129 million in six years on duplicated iwi consultation, targeted Māori spending

A new briefing paper co-published by the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance and Democracy Action reveals that in just six years, Auckland Council spent at least $129 million on iwi consultation and targeted Māori  spending. In 2018/19 alone, the total spend was $30 million – more than double the $13 million spent in 2013/14.This spending includes that of the Independent Māori Statutory Board, ‘Ngā Mātārae’, formerly ‘Te Waka Anga Mua ki Uta’, payments made by Auckland Council for consultation, payments made by Auckland Council Controlled Organisations, Long-term Plan allocations, and direct grants to iwi.Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesperson Jo Holmes says, “Every dollar allocated to cultural advice, a marae development, or an unelected Māori authority is a dollar that cannot be used for the core council services that benefit all ratepayers.""The function of Māori representation at Auckland Council is duplicated by at least six different Council mechanisms. Not one of these can be held to account by the general ratepayer who funds their operations.”“Many Aucklanders will be supportive of some degree of race-based spending, but what this report uncovers is the extent of duplication and an alarming increase in costs. The Independent Māori Statutory Board was set up to promote issues of significance to Māori to Auckland Council, but we’re now paying eight times its budget because the Council undertakes the same function through other branches.”“As the Council annually increases rates far beyond increases to living costs, including during an economic crisis, we’re calling for an urgent review into this non-essential spending.” Democracy Action spokesman Lee Short says, “A 2015 report by the NZ Institute of Economic Research showed that the Māori economy in Auckland is substantial – at around $4 billion of GDP with $23 billion of assets. This being so, the wisdom of Council contributing towards Māori economic development at ratepayers’ expense is questionable at best.”“This paper is evidence that the interests of those who identify as Māori are being elevated above those of all other Aucklanders, thereby undermining the concept of equal rights upon which our democracy is based.”

Free Speech - Bruce Moon speaks out in Nelson

Bruce Moon, a retired physicist and avid historian, was invited by the Nelson Institute to give a talk at Nelson’s Elma Turner Library, on 8th April. He chose to speak on New Zealand's "fake history" related to Treaty of Waitangi issues, billed as “Twisting the Treaty and other fake history”.But, four days before he was due to present, the talk was unexpectedly cancelled. It was reported that this action had been taken because the Nelson Council and library had been contacted in such a threatening manner that it was considered a “health and safety matter” if the talk were to proceed.Two months later, a venue was finally found. Bruce made his presentation at the Hearing Associations rooms on 7th July, Reports from attendees say that the room was packed, and his presentation well received. Well done Bruce. Continue reading

Massey University Vice-Chancellor Jan Thomas should resign

Massey University Vice-Chancellor Jan Thomas should resign over her decision to cancel a talk by Dr Don Brash scheduled for tomorrow. It should always be possible to debate Treaty of Waitangi issues on our university campuses – including whether it is justified to introduce Maori wards into local government.  Continue reading

STOP UNELECTED APPOINTEES TO HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES

Click here to sign our petition opposing Hamilton City Council's plan to undermine democracy with unelected, racially-determined committee appointees.

Councillor Mike Lee speaks out on democratic governance of the Hauraki Gulf

Councillor Lee comments on the high stakes power play over ownership and control of the Hauraki Gulf. Continue reading

Winston Peters' calls for a referendum on Māori seats

We welcome Winston Peters’ call for a two-pronged referendum on whether Māori seats should be entrenched, or should go altogether. Continue reading

The people have spoken

We are applauding the decision made by citizens to reject the introduction of Maori ward seats.  This highly contentious proposal, and if introduced would have established two classes of citizens. Continue reading

Free speech blocked at Nelson library

Democracy Action is condemning Nelson City Council and the city library’s decision to withdraw speaking permissions for a public talk on the Treaty of Waitangi by Bruce Moon. The Council’s cancellation of a library meeting for fear that it would ‘disturb the peace’ and pose health and safety risks would be laughable, if it didn’t display such disregard for the democratic role of public libraries. Continue reading

New social campaign to spread the word

On Friday we went live on Facebook with our video ‘A Tsunami of claims has hit the coast of New Zealand’.  We are asking people to consider standing up for the public interest by becoming involved in the claims process as interested parties, because it is likely that the less public opposition there is to a claim, the greater the chance it will succeed. Continue reading

Marine and Coastal Area Act: Maps of application areas

Below are the maps of the application areas. Click a map to enlarge. Continue reading