Maori Statutory Board appoints chairperson

Ko te manu i kai i te miro, nona te ngahere. Ko te manu i kai i te mātauranga, nona te ao. Ka rere atu te manu e karere nei ki a tātou o te ao hurihuri, he mihi tēnei ki a koutou, ki a tātou katoa.

David Taipari has been appointed as the chairperson of the new independent Maori Statutory Board for Auckland.

The appointment, along with that of Ms Patience Te Ao as deputy chairperson, was the first order of business at its inaugural meeting held in Auckland on Monday 15 November.

“It is a great honour to be elected to lead this board. We will be working together to ensure all mana whenua and mataawaka are properly recognised throughout Tamaki Makaurau,” says Mr Taipari.

“The board is looking forward to working with Koromatua (Mayor) Len Brown and his council on all the issues that involve mana whenua and mataawaka.”

Auckland Mayor Len Brown, Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, councillors and senior council staff joined board members and their whanau, and members of the Iwi Selection Body at a powhiri held earlier in the day.

Mr Taipari says the board was encouraged to hear Mayor Brown’s commitment to conduct the discussion about dedicated Maori seats on the Auckland Council.

“The Board will work with the Koromatua to shape the options for Maori seats, especially the number and design of any seats fairly reflecting all mana whenua and mataawaka interests.”

The Maori Statutory Board was established under the Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Act 2010 as part of the local governance reforms to assist the council on issues that affect mana whenua and mataawaka.

The appointments were made by an Iwi Selection Body, appointed by the Minister of Maori Affairs and were announced earlier this month.

ENDS

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