Board members set to hold balance of power on Auckland Council

Unelected board members are set to hold the balance of power on many Auckland Council committee decisions, which will surprise many Aucklanders who have just elected their councillors, says Auckland Councillor for Orakei, Cameron Brewer.

Legislation dictates that the Maori Statutory Board can appoint up to two members with full voting rights to council committees that deal with natural and physical resources. The board is now set to exercise that right.

“Given councillors’ votes are often quite evenly split, these two appointees will from time to time determine the final outcome. They will effectively hold the balance of power. I’m pretty relaxed about it but it will surprise many Aucklanders as it sounds a lot like separate Maori seats. However unlike Maori seats these board members have not been elected by Maori at large but rather appointed by a selection panel.

“I suspect most councillors are pretty relaxed at this stage and I don’t think it will be a case of the tail wagging the dog. It’s part of the Auckland Council legislation and both sides are going into this with a lot of goodwill. It’s great that both mana whenua and mataawaka are represented.

“As well as sitting on committees the board will play a critical role in the spatial plan, Auckland’s long-term planning, as well as ongoing dialogue regarding Treaty of Waitangi settlements, the co-governance of volcanic cones, and the foreshore and seabed debate.”

“We’ve just got to see how the relationship works. If there are any unintended consequences which are patently unfair or undemocratic, parliament will just have to iron out the creases,” says Cameron Brewer.

ENDS

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