HUMAN RIGHTS IN NEW ZEALAND 20 1 0 • partnering with agencies and community organisations their replacements have slightly altered these results: in Christchurch and Nelson to develop critical incident- the number of Mäori increased to 21 and the number of response systems. European/other decreased by one. Recognition and support for cultural In local government, the number of successful Mäori, diversity Pacific and Asian candidates in the 2007 council elections Non-discrimination and safety from racially motivated crime form part of what is required for harmonious race relations. The other equally important part is recognition and support for cultural diversity. This involves not only recognising and accepting racial and ethnic diversity, but actively supporting it. This section therefore focusses on public attitudes (recognition), participation, education for diversity and diversity action (support). The section concludes with a brief overview of socio-economic inequalities by ethnic group, which indicate that greater government and community action is needed to more fully realise the rights that support cultural diversity. was disproportionately low, with Mäori comprising 4.8 per cent and all others who did not identify as European comprising only 6.3 per cent. Environment Bay of Plenty remains the only local authority with dedicated Mäori constituencies. A survey of territorial and regional authorities conducted by the Commission in 2010 revealed that many local authorities are not taking up the options in the Local Electoral Act 2001 to explore the introduction of Mäori wards or constituencies. 29 Mäori were better represented on district health boards after the 2007 elections and ministerial appointments, with 19.2 per cent of members, but the percentage of Pacific and Asian members was negligible. There were also Public attitudes to race relations elections for school boards of trustees in 2007. Mäori In December 2009, UMR Research Ltd issued a ‘Mood of comprised 15.4 per cent of trustees after the election, the Nation’ report based on the results of its omnibus Pacific peoples 3.5 per cent and Asian peoples 0.9 per surveys throughout 2009. It revealed that race relations cent. Board elections were again held in May 2010, but was no longer in the ‘top five issues worrying New representation statistics are not yet available. Zealanders’ in 2009. It had last topped the list in 2004. Race relations was second on the list of areas which New Zealanders felt would be ‘much better’ in 10 years’ time. Overall, 38 per cent said they expected race relations to get better, while 29 per cent said they expected them to get worse. 28 In 2009 the reorganisation of eight Auckland councils into the single Auckland Council raised serious concerns about representation and participation, particularly given the size and diversity of Auckland’s population. In 2008 a Royal Commission recommended that one Auckland council be established. In addition to the Political participation mayor, it recommended that the council comprise 23 The MMP electoral system has boosted the representation councillors, two of whom should be elected by voters of Mäori, Pacific and other ethnic groups in Parliament. on the Mäori electoral roll, and one of whom should The 2008 general election resulted in the most ethnically be appointed by mana whenua through a specified diverse Parliament in New Zealand history, although it mechanism. It also recommended the establishment still did not fully reflect the population of New Zealand. of Pacific and ethnic advisory panels. The Government Although the number of Mäori MPs reduced by one, decided, however, that Pacific and ethnic advisory panels the number of Pacific MPs increased from three to five would only be established for the first term of the new and the number of Asian MPs doubled from three to Auckland Council. After the first term, the council could six. In 2009, some MPs resigned from Parliament, and determine its own arrangements for Pacific and ethnic 28 UMR Research Ltd, Mood of the Nation Dec 2009, pp 9, 36. Accessed 11 May 2009 from http://www.umr.co.nz/Reports.php# 29 Human Rights Commission 2010. Mäori Representation in Local Government. Powerpoint presentation given at the annual Diversity Forum, 23 August. Accessed 25 August 2010 from http://www.slideshare.net/nzhumanrights/maori-representation-in-local-govt-survey-results-19august-2010. A draft discussion paper on the issue was also presented to the forum and is being finalised. This paper is accessible online at http://www.hrc.co.nz/home/hrc/racerelations/newzealanddiversityforum/2010diversityforum/maorirepresentationinlocalgovernment.php 69