24 M Ä ORI REPRESENTATIO N IN LO CAL GOVE R N M E N T also relevant, but of lesser importance – there are many minority groups in the Auckland region in this position. The Royal Commission does not believe, therefore, that the number of Mäori seats on the regional entity should be linked to fluctuations in the number of Mäori as a proportion of the total population over time. In fact, having specific, safeguarded seats for Mäori may become even more important if the percentage of Mäori as a proportion of total population declined over time. In that case, Mäori candidates would be even less likely to be voted in as part of the general election process (ibid, chapter 22 s.59). In other words, the Royal Commission’s primary reason for making these recommendations is to give effect to obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi. General considerations of equity and fairness of representation also come into play, but to a lesser extent (ibid, chapter 22 s.60). Having considered various ways in which Mäori representation could best be provided for, the Royal Commission recommended that: · two Mäori members should be elected to the Auckland Council by voters who are on the parliamentary Mäori electoral roll · there should be a Mana Whenua Forum, the members of which will be appointed by mana whenua from the district of the Auckland Council · the Mana Whenua Forum should: appoint a representative to be a councillor on the Auckland Council (ibid, chapter 22 s.71); through its representative on the Auckland Council, advise the Auckland Council on issues of relevance to mana whenua (ibid, chapter 22 s.72); appoint the members of Watercare’s Mäori Advisory Group (ibid, chapter 22 s.79). Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill: select committee report The Government did not include the Royal Commission’s recommendations for Mäori representation in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill introduced to Parliament in 2009. The Auckland Governance Legislation Committee select committee (including a special sub-committee on Mäori representation), having considered public submissions, reported that: “A large number of submitters recommended ensuring Mäori had representation in some form under the new governance structure. Many argued that Mäori representation should be guaranteed as of right because of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and the special status of tangata whenua, or in order to remain consistent with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2002, which provide for Mäori input into decision-making at the local level. While there was substantial support for Mäori representation on the council by way of reserved seats, there was no consensus on whether this representation should be specifically for mana whenua, or for tangata whenua as a whole, and whether the seats should be reserved on the Auckland Council or local boards. There was some support for representation in other forms, such as an advisory body, committee, or forum. While we acknowledge that some form of Mäori representation, advocacy or partnership would be valuable within the Auckland governance structure, the majority of us believe that it is up to the people of greater Auckland to decide what shape this representation should take, and whether representation should be for tangata whenua, mana whenua, or both. Such representation could, for example, be provided in the committee membership of the Auckland Council. The majority of us therefore urge the Auckland Council to carefully consider establishing Mäori representation should there be community support for this move.