M ÄO R I R E P R E S E N TAT I O N I N L O CAL GO VE R N M E N T
Mäori seats are unique in NZ local government.
We at Environment Bay of Plenty are proud of
them, and of our Mäori members. They have
proven their worth both to Mäori and non-Mäori.
They appear have given to Mäori a sense of sense
of participation and a sense of belonging in the
democratic process that they did not appear to
have before. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is
a richer democracy for their participation" (cited
in Bennett, 2008).
Chief Executive Bill Bayfield says having the
Mäori constituency seats is “a huge strength” and
brings “significant savings” in council operations.
“Having Mäori at the decision-making table
means the council is always informed and always
equally engaged. Mäori councillors bring their
networks, their constituency issues and the pulse
of their communities.” He describes it simply as
“good business practice”. The direct engagement
of Mäori and general constituency councillors
in decision-making “provides councillors with
opportunities for personal development”.
Strategic Policy Manager Mary-Anne McLeod
notes that the Mäori councillors “have an interest
in everything the council does and everything
that is important to the region. Besides being on
the council’s Mäori committee they provide a
Mäori perspective on other council committees.
It’s just the way we do things here.” Mäori
Policy Manager Kataraina Belshaw sees “a lot
of value” in the Mäori constituencies and the
Mäori committee, which have increased the level
of interaction between the council and tangata
whenua. “Tangata whenua defend the seats
vigorously. The system gives them a voice at the
highest levels of decision-making and they rely
on the Mäori councillors to influence the council,
which they are definitely doing.”
There are some councillors who disagree with the
present provisions, to varying degrees. Councillor
Andrew von Dadelszen says he is “opposed in
principle to separate Mäori representation, but
in practice it works very well. We have learnt
to respect each other, and both councillors and
staff have learnt a lot. The council is now very
inclusive of iwi and that is a good thing. But
while it is working well in the Bay of Plenty,
with a Mäori population of around 25 per cent,
it should not be seen as a panacea for all. For
regions like Northland and Gisborne (with
high Mäori population ratios) it might also be
appropriate. But for the likes of Auckland with
just 10 per cent, and many of these with tribal
affiliations outside the Auckland region, I don't
think it is appropriate. Now that we have these
seats, it would be damaging to take them away
in the short term. With the completion of the
treaty settlement process, I would like to think
that within 10 years they would no longer be
required.”
Councillor Ian Noble, who has been on the
council since 1989, continues to oppose the
Mäori constituencies, but says “once they are
elected, they are regional councillors, and once
they’re in the room, their opinion deserves to be
sincerely thought through.”
Councillor Karen Summerhays is very positive
about the increased representation of Mäori
on the council and the contribution made by
the Mäori constituency councillors. She feels
the loss of the Mäori vote from the general
constituencies reduces the potential support for
candidates in general constituencies promoting
issues of common concern to Mäori and nonMäori alike, such as environmental issues. It also
does not encourage candidates standing for the
general seats to consider Mäori issues when
making their election promises. She notes that
the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance,
in effect, addressed this concern by proposing
that a number of councillors be elected at large
in addition to councillors representing Mäori and
general constituencies, and that in parliamentary
elections voters on both rolls have a party vote
7