14 August, 2015
Maori, advisory committee have much to offer; Samuels
More than a year after its formation, the chairman of Te Tai Tokerau Maori Advisory Committee (TTMAC) says he’s thrilled
at the way Northland Maori have embraced the concept.
Dover Samuels says the committee was formed as part of the regional council’s wish to promote whanau, hapu and iwi
participation and engagement in its processes and decision-making and had met for the first time in late June last year
at Otiria Marae.
It now boasts more than two dozen permanent members from across Northland and as well as formal meetings in Whangarei
every two months, has also held hapu hui at a variety of locations around the region. The latter have included Otiria
(near Moerewa), Oruawharo (near Wellsford), Ngataki (south of Te Kao) and most recently at Rawhiti (in the eastern Bay
of Islands).
Councillor Samuels says Maoridom has leapt at the chance to engage with council in local settings through TTMAC.
The latest meeting at historic Te Rawhiti Marae yesterday (subs: Thursday 13 August) had been attended by about 50
people and had seen presentations from Ngati Kuta Patukeha, Ngati Hine, Ngati Manu, Ngati Rehia, Te Kapotai, Ngati
Torehina, as well as by regional council.
“Issues on the agenda traversed a wide range of council activities including flooding, land, river, pest and integrated
catchment management, consents and monitoring, harbour development and economic matters, including opportunities and
support.”
Councillor Samuels says too often media and public attention focuses on the perceived negative aspects of Maoridom, but
Maori had much to offer the wider community across a range of areas.
“Too often this goes unreported or is not adequately acknowledged and I believe this is where committees like TTMAC have
a key role in that they can open up clear lines of communication and promote not just better understanding, but also
genuine participation and engagement across cultures.”
Councillor Samuels, who along with fellow regional councillor and Far North resident Monty Knight, was also recently
appointed to serve as council’s representatives on Te Oneroa-a-Tohe Board, says he is pleased to see the effort being
invested across multiple organisations in developing more meaningful relationships with Maori.
The Te Oneroa-a-Tohe Board will jointly manage Ninety Mile Beach as part of a looming Treaty of Waitangi settlement and
includes members of several iwi as well as the regional and Far North District Councils.
“It’s now well-acknowledged that Maoridom is poised to become an increasingly major contributor to our regional economy
as a result of treaty settlement processes,” Cr Samuels says. “This is well overdue and it’s pleasing to see councils
and other organisations increasingly keen to work positively with Maori to advance the economic aspirations of whanau
and hapu.”
“This is an opportunity for all our communities and all our citizens, whether they be Maori, Pakeha or from other
cultures, to work together to make a better future for Northland.”
ENDS