32 M Ä ORI REPRESENTATIO N IN LO CAL GOVE R N M E N T Council resolutions following input from Mäori advisory committees (reasons from committees) "[The council’s] Mäori committee made the following recommendation to council: ‘that the Mäori committee does not support the establishment of Mäori constituencies for the local government elections of 2007 for the following reasons: 1) non-tangata whenua could stand for election and deny tangata whenua their mana whenua in terms of regional council roles and functions; 2) the committee does not want to risk the demise of the Mäori committee should constituencies be established." (Hawke’s Bay Regional Council) "Mäori members [would] represent both their Mäori constituency and the region as a whole. As [Mäori committee] representatives represent their iwi authority on behalf of their iwi, they speak for their iwi in dealing with [the council]. An elected Mäori member would not speak exclusively for iwi even if from that iwi .... The election of a Mäori representative may impact on the mana of the [Mäori committee]. ... While the nuances of tikanga are for each iwi to establish, this may represent a shift in the relationship of the [Mäori committee] to the council. Whereas mana whenua and mana tangata currently lie with iwi and are exercised through the [Mäori committee], to have a Mäori constituency is to place mana tangata for [council] matters in that constituency .... The perception of a cultural view is the perception of tikanga. The creation of a Mäori constituency could change the view of how tikanga applies at [the council], in effect standardising tikanga from tangata whenua to Mäori. Clearly, this is at odds with the [Mäori committee’s] attempt to protect the complexity of tikanga." (Greater Wellington Regional Council) Outcome of representation review including feedback from the general public "Some public feedback was received on the issue and whilst not a significant response thereon, those that did respond showed an overwhelming opposition to the establishment of such (73 per cent were against). The results of the public feedback were conveyed to council at a workshop on 17 October 2005 and council ultimately agreed not to proceed any further with that option." (Taupo District Council) Outcome of representation following a poll of electors "As part of the review, the council decided that this was an issue that affected all residents and, therefore, the community needed to determine whether separate Mäori representation should be introduced. A referendum was subsequently held as part of the 2007 elections with the following outcome: 'I vote FOR the introduction of Mäori wards' – 2894. 'I vote AGAINST the introduction of Mäori wards' – 6762." [Total number of responses: 29.97 per cent for and 70.02 per cent against] (Whakatane District Council) Outcome of representation review, noting population characteristics "[The council] has noted the Mäori composition of the total population at approximately 17 per cent, and its current ‘mixed’ member representation (one rural ward, four urban wards, five at large, one mayor) as adequately covering the communities of interest. It has taken into account advice from its Mäori liaison task group (which supported the status quo both times) and the advice from its Mäori councillors, who have been elected directly as part of the current composition. The council has memoranda of partnership with its two iwi." (Masterton District Council)