< May 2021 newsletter


Tauranga citizens to be further disenfranchised

The anti-democratic madness continues apace in Tauranga. Following the Government-appointed Commissioners recent decision to establish a Māori ward, they have also agreed to a new committee – the Strategy, Finance and Risk Committee - which embodies the 'Treaty partnership', but goes further than that, effectively shutting out the wider community.

 The committee will consist of the following membership:

  • four commissioners with the Commission Chair appointed as the Chairperson of the committee
  • the Chairperson of Te Rangapū Mana Whenua o Tauranga Moana
  • three tangata whenua representatives (recommended by Te Rangapū Mana Whenua o Tauranga Moana and appointed by Council)
  • an independent external person appointed by the Council

The tangata whenua representatives and the independent external person are to have voting rights as do the Commissioners. The Chairperson of Te Rangapu Mana Whenua o Tauranga Moana is an advisory position, without voting rights, designed to ensure mana whenua discussions are connected to the committee.

Under this arrangement 82% of Tauranga citizens are to have no representation at all on this influential committee which will be dealing with matters that directly affect the entire community. Besides dealing with finance and risk, the role includes reviewing and determining the policy and bylaw framework that will assist in achieving the strategic priorities and outcomes for the Tauranga City Council.

The report accompanying the recommendation admits that the undemocratic structure of the committee could give cause to doubt its legitimacy in the eyes of the community:

“Affording voting rights to four of the five external representatives on the SFRC creates a situation where there is an equal number of external representatives with voting rights as the Commissioners. There is a risk that this could be perceived by members of the public as a shift in the balance of power away from the Commission to external people who are neither elected nor appointed by the Minister of Local Government”.

There has been no engagement with the wider community at all 

To add insult to injury, the Council did not bother to consult Tauranga citizens on this radical departure from accepted governance practices. The first time this proposal came to the attention of the public was when the agenda was posted online just four days before the meeting of 27 April – the day before a long weekend. Indeed, the recommendations include the following statement: “There is no requirement to engage or consult with the public about the governance structure. Taking into consideration the above assessment, that the decision is of low significance, officers are of the opinion that no further engagement is required prior to Council making a decision”.

This makes it blatantly obvious that the powers-that-be have absolutely no regard for, or interest in, the opinions of ‘the SILENCED majority’, and brings into sharp relief what is happening in other areas of Government policy.

For more information about the Strategy, Finance and Risk Committee see from p.23 of the Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday, 27 April 2021 agenda by clicking HERE.

Media coverage

NZ Herald Tauranga Council commissioners vote to establish Māori ward

Newshub: ACT's David Seymour compares Labour to Communist China after Tauranga commissioners vote for Māori ward

Local Government review begins this week

The structure of this committee is far from fair to the people of Tauranga – they have effectively been shut out.  This does not bode well for the outcome of the Local Government review commencing this month, especially taking into account that the Minister - the same one who appointed the commissioners for Tauranga - is seeking recommendations to achieve “a local government system that actively embodies the Treaty partnership, through the role and representation of iwi/Māori in local government, and seeks to uphold the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) and its principles through its functions and processes”.

See more on the Department of Internal Affairs website at: The Future for Local Government

Media releases/coverage

Nanaia Mahuta: Independent review to explore future for local government

Point of Order: Overhaul ahead for local authorities and their governance

Go back to the May 2021 newsletter


RELATED ARTICLES


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Submission on the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Bill

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The Waikato District Council Blueprint Project

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IS POSTAL VOTING UP TO SCRATCH?

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Proposed changes to our electoral system

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Urgent judicial review of discriminatory Rotorua Council Bill

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Locals campaign to restore democracy at Tauranga City Council

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Rotorua Lakes Council pushing for Māori co-governance

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Time to Vote - Local Body Elections 2019

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Vote for me! Local body elections 2019

The upcoming election gives us the opportunity to voice our opinions, to hold elected representatives to account, and to vote for what we believe in. So please take all opportunities to question those standing for office. You could also identify those candidates you can support and offer your help as they campaign. We at Democracy Action believe our representatives should be voted on merit, not race. As Gisborne Herald columnist, farmer, community worker, and heritage consultant Mr Clive Bibby writes in his article 'Diversity best achieved naturally'  “The majority of people do not judge by colour, religion, age, sex or disability. They judge you by what you believe in, what you hope to do, what you bring to the table, whether you will work hard for them and represent their voices at the council or health board table.”     Continue reading

The welcome reinstatement of a democratic right

A more democratic approach to Māori wards is being proposed by the government, one which would allow voters to challenge any decision made by councils regarding Māori wards through a binding poll. This proposal is outlined in the Local Government (Electoral Legislation & Maori Wards & Maori Constituencies) Amendment Bill. Continue reading

Democracy Action oral submission to Auckland Council re: designated Māori seats

Oral submission to the Auckland Council Governing Body on 2 October 2023 Good morning your worship Mayor Brown and Councillors. Thank you for this opportunity to share our views on the council’s proposal to introduce designated Māori seats. I am here representing Democracy Action – a group of citizens advocating for the protection of democracy and equality of citizenship. Continue reading

Auckland Council rejects Māori seat proposal

After an impassioned debate, Auckland Council voted 11-9 against establishing Māori seats at the 2025 local body elections. Instead, they accepted a proposal put forward by Mayor Wayne Brown to look at Māori representation as part of a wider governance review to be undertaken by a working party made up of councillors and local board members. The working party has been asked to report back to the governing body by 31 December 2024, thereby missing the deadline to establish Māori seats for the 2025 election. Continue reading

Kāpiti Coast Council proposes Māori ward

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Māori seats for Auckland Council: Yes/No? Have your say

Citizens of Auckland - please take this opportunity to say whether you want the council to introduce Māori seats. Consultation closes at 11:59pm on Sunday 24 September 2023.  Auckland Council is currently seeking feedback on their proposal to introduce up to three dedicated Māori seats. Continue reading

Aucklanders' views to be sought on Māori wards

Following preliminary engagement with iwi and urban Māori in 2022, Auckland Council will shortly be asking Aucklanders for their feedback on whether they support - or do not support - the introduction of a dedicated Māori seat/s on Council. Public consultation will run from 21 August until 24 September. Continue reading

No intention to consult with Auckland citizens on Māori wards

Auckland Council is about to engage with mana whenua and mātāawaka about the creation of dedicated Māori seats but have made no plans to consult with the wider Auckland community - even though one of the two models under consideration does not comply with the important democratic principle of proportionality. The adoption of one of the models - the recommendation put forward by the Royal Commission when the supercity was established - would allow for three dedicated seats, thereby increasing Māori representation to a level greater than their proportion in the population. Continue reading

Update on separate Māori representation on councils

Photo: Political lobbying - tikanga style Manawatū District Council chambers 20 May 2021 – how to turn a No to Māori wards vote to a Yes In a flurry of activity leading up to the final date to amend governance arrangements for the 2022 local body election, thirty-five councils have opted to establish Māori seats, some making an abrupt about-turn at the last minute after intense lobbying from iwi. Continue reading

Māori seats in local government a step to 50-50 power share

Photo: Andrew Judd hiding from a taniwha Before the ink has dried on the establishment of separate Māori seats on 38 councils, calls for "more equitable representation and a partnership with Māori" in a 50/50 power sharing model have arisen - not only from Māori sovereignty activists, but also from some councillors. Continue reading

Campaign to overturn direct democracy hots up

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta is vowing to remove the public poll option when councils vote to create Māori wards. Mahuta, who retained the portfolio after the October general election, said she was "all ready to go once the government is formed". Continue reading

Compulsory Māori seats touted for Northland

Northland Māori are making a push for greater representation in local government, renewing calls for local Māori seats. Some say government intervention is necessary and that may include compulsory Māori seats. Pita Tipene of Ngāti Hine laments that local government legislation and processes are "shutting out our people". Continue reading

Citizens Get To Vote On Maori Wards - Congratulations To All Concerned!

Thanks to the hard work of locals, in some cases with the support of the people at Hobson’s Pledge, all five councils that voted to introduce Māori wards, (i.e. Manawatu, Whakatane, Western Bay of Plenty, Palmerston North and Kaikoura), will now be polling their citizens in a binding referendum as to whether they support Māori wards for their area. See Hobson’s Pledge media release here.

Maori wards for local authorities?

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Countering The Campaign To Abolish The Poll Provision

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Maori wards supporters want to overturn the Māori ward poll law

In response to the binding poll in Palmerston North, a lobby group in the Palmerston North/Manawatu area has launched a campaign to promote the introduction of Maori wards, and to encourage voters to say "yes" to Māori wards in the upcoming referendums. A report on their campaign launch is available here. As well as campaigning to promote Māori wards, supporters want to overturn the law which enables voters to challenge any Māori ward decision through a binding poll. Continue reading

LGNZ's Campaign to Abolish the Poll Provision

Local Government NZ (LGNZ) is campaigning vigorously to abolish the sections the Local Electoral Act 2001 which relate to the rules for binding citizens initiated polls concerning the establishment of Maori wards. The members of National Council of LGNZ want its members to be able to impose Maori wards unchecked - thereby depriving members of local communities of an individual democratic right expressly written into law. For a comprehensive and well researched essay on this issue, please click HERE. This essay, authored by Michael Coote - a freelance writer and financial journalist - was published on the NZCPR website on 22nd April. Michael explains what LGNZ is seeking, and the reasons why. Continue reading