14 May 2009
Media Statement

Labour seeks to guarantee Maori seats on Super City

Labour will today move an amendment to the Bill setting up the new Super City which guarantees Maori seats on the proposed Auckland Council,
says Labour’s Maori Affairs spokesman Parekura Horomia.

“Labour believes the Government should have adopted the Royal Commission’s proposals to include Maori seats on the council, but it hasn’t.

“Prime Minister John Key has since suggested National might do the decent thing and accept it made a mistake on this issue. We’re now inviting him to do so and support our amendment to the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill,” said Parekura Horomia.

Labour MP Shane Jones said he has drafted the amendment, which will seek to insert a new clause in the Bill guaranteeing ‘the establishment of elected Maori representatives’.

“The clause would require the Government ‘to establish a single unitary authority consistent with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi to govern the entire Auckland region on and from 1 November 2010’,” Mr Jones said.

Mr Horomia said the relationship between the Auckland Council and mana whenua is important and it is essential they have a voice in local government decision-making.

“Just how that is reflected and how potential mana whenua seats might complement elected Maori seats is an issue which the select committee will hear submissions on and we will pay attention to this.

“But the first thing that needs to be established is provision for Maori seats and Labour is moving on that today,” Mr Horomia said.

ENDS

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