“Stratford District Council relationship with tangata whenua is nothing but tokenism, dialling up for a karakia and
powhiri as suits but refusing to start listening and respond like every other Council in the Taranaki and introduce
Maori Wards”, says Haimona Maruera chair of Ngāti Ruanui Runanga.
This was the message being sent to the Stratford District Council by Ngati Ruanui after the Council decided not to
introduce Maori Wards for the 2022 local government elections.
Ngati Ruanui will be making its voice heard at the Council’s Long-Term Plan Hearing this Tuesday the 18th of May.
Haimona Maruera, says, the Stratford District Council is preserving a racist model of governance by excluding a Maori
voice at the decision-making table.
Maurera said, “the Council was pathetic in communicating its position to the Iwi of the region despite claiming it
wanted to consult. The Council clearly is out of touch with tangata whenua, who invest largely in the local area.
“Ultimately the position of this Council is “really racist” change is required and must happen now. Ngati Ruanui will be
approaching all Iwi to withdraw engaging with this council if it continues down this path”, said Maurera.
Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer also supported the position taken by tangata whenua, “I attended yesterday’s
hui and heard the disgust and loss of goodwill these councillors have created. It’s disappointing to see the Mayor who
leant on Iwi to back Tapuae Roa Taranaki regional economic development strategy not step up and listen to voice of mana
whenua; the voice of Māori counts and we should be encouraging not eliminating their voices” , said Debbie.