MEDIA RELEASE
28 November 2014
Challenging low Māori representation in local government
Māori Party Co-leader Marama Fox has questioned the Minister of Local Government about what initiatives are underway to
increase tangata whenua (indigenous) representation on local and district councils.
“The questions were prompted by the courageous challenge set down by the New Plymouth District Council Mayor Andrew Judd
for the government to consider changing the law to allow for 50-50 representation between Māori and non-Māori on local
authorities to reflect the Treaty of Waitangi partnership.
“We commend his vision as we believe think it is woeful that only around 5.7% of representatives on local government
identify as Māori,” says Mrs Fox.
During the Parliamentary debate yesterday, Local Government Minister, Paula Bennett said, “I do not currently have any
plans to make changes to the current settings.” However, officials are working on advice about Māori participation in
local government which she will consider next year.
Māori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says the current legal provisions for creating Māori representation in local
government are inadequate and difficult to secure.
“If you take the New Plymouth case, to get one dedicated Māori ward out of 14 you need to use the local voters on the
Māori electorate roll and the position can be over-turned by a referendum that’s triggered by five percent of the
population. It’s also a seat that’s up for re-consideration every six years,” says Mr Flavell.
The Māori Party has consistently argued for stronger mechanisms to achieve Māori representation as the absolute minimum
in terms of meeting Treaty of Waitangi obligations.
In June 2010, Mr Flavell presented the Local Electoral (Māori Representation) Amendment bill which would require all
territorial authorities and regional councils to establish Māori wards and constituencies to provide for Māori
representation.
"Parliament wasn't ready for our bill then, but quite clearly local government is prepared to be more visionary, as this
decision in New Plymouth reveals,” says Mr Flavell.
Mr Judd’s call for 50-50 representation in local government came on the back of the recent Waitangi Tribunal report that
recognised Māori and the Crown signed the agreement as equals.
“The Treaty was never about division. It was about establishing a foundation for unity and mutual respect. We urge more
decision-making bodies around Aotearoa to value the unique voice that tangata whenua bring to the table. Equal
representation in local government is a benchmark that should be strived for,” says Mrs Fox.
ENDS