Statement from the MP for Taitokerau for the Maori Party - Hone Harawira
8 April 2009.

No to advisory status

The MP for Taitokerau - Hone Harawira - is scathing of the National Government's claims that an advisory committee will be set up to take care of Maori matters before the planned Auckland super city.

"The new Auckland Supercity will include 30% of my constituency, and those I’ve spoken to are really pissed off about National’s refusal to agree to three seats for Maori on the Council,” said Harawira, “and rightfully so.”

“The Royal Commission spent a whole year on this. They consulted widely, and their view was that the democratic process in Auckland would actually be enhanced by having dedicated Maori seats, and along comes National and dumps it without even blinking – no wonder Maori are angry.”

"We’re not going to be snowed by any rubbish from National about Maori being invited onto advisory committees either,” said Harawira “We know from bitter experience that those committees are powerless and toothless.”

"And as for holding a poll sometime down the track to consider Maori input, well that’s just more flowers to try to hide the racism lurking beneath this decision. Maori are in a minority so there ain’t a dog show of us getting a favourable result from any poll.”

“And neither should we be put in that position,” said Harawira. “Tangata whenua have been giving land to help develop Auckland for more than two hundred years. We have worked alongside everyone else to build this city, and we continue to provide the cultural base that Auckland is famous for.”

“And we deserve better than to be denied a seat at the Council that will represent the greatest Maori population base in the world.

If Auckland is to become a single entity, then Maori representation at Council must be a given, not a whim.

ENDS

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