Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Appointing iwi representatives an attack on democracy
Democracy Action is very concerned by Otago Regional Council’s move to appoint two Ngāi Tahu representatives to the Council, with full voting rights on the Council’s powerful Policy Committee.
Democracy Action Chairman, Lee Short, says:
“Ngāi Tahu are big business. The potential for conflicts of interest to arise are too great to ignore. To have representatives of a significant commercial entity appointed to serve their own interests is a very serious and unwelcome departure from our democratic and egalitarian principles”.
“Councillors would be acting with no mandate from the citizens of Otago. Such a move must be put to the people to decide whether iwi representation on council is in the best interests of the district.”
Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
Gordon Campbell: Gordon Campbell On The Folly Of Making Apologies In A Social Vacuum.
Asians Supporting Tino Rangatiratanga: Asian Communities From Across Aotearoa Join Hīkoi Mō Te Tiriti
Cooper Legal: Censorship Is Alive And Well In New Zealand
NZ Government: NZ Signs Trade Deal With Costa Rica, Iceland And Switzerland
Forest And Bird: Modernisation Of Conservation System Must Focus On Improving Conservation
NZCTU: Uniformed Defence Force Should Not Be Used As Strike Breakers
MetService: Damp Start To Canterbury Anniversary Weekend; Wet Start For Coldplay Fans In Auckland
