Post by Kiwi Frontline on Mar 16, 2021 10:56:33 GMT 12
DEMOCRACY ACTION MARCH 2021 NEWSLETTER
A big thank you to all who made submissions on the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill. It was a mad last-minute scramble, given that the public were given just two days to do so. Despite the disgracefully short time frame there were over 12,000 submissions on the bill - of which 76 per cent were opposed.
This was a sham consultation process, making a mockery of Labour’s promise at the last election to ensure that major decisions about local democracy involve full participation of the local population from the outset. Yeah, right!!
Changing the law will not remove the fact that there is significant opposition to councils introducing Maori wards without gaining the consent of their communities. The onus is now fairly and squarely on local councils to consult with and respect the wishes of their citizens. If your council is one that is considering establishing separate Māori representation, we urge you to have your say – but it appears you may need to be pro-active. As regards the establishment of Māori wards many councils actively seek out the views of the iwi and Māori communities but shamefully are more reticent about seeking feedback from the wider population.
Some of us also recently also submitted on the Water Services Bill. While endorsing the intention of the Bill to ensure that drinking water supplies across New Zealand are safe and reliable, it contains some provisions of concern, including one that requires all persons who perform or exercise functions, powers, and duties under the legislation to give effect to ‘Te Mana o te Wai’. As the authorities regarding of this requirement, the legislation appears to place iwi, hapu and Māori in a powerful position. (See pages 5 & 6 of the Department of Internal Affairs Overview of Bill as Referred to the Select Committee)
Have your say.......
Please read on here > www.democracyaction.org.nz/march_2021
A big thank you to all who made submissions on the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill. It was a mad last-minute scramble, given that the public were given just two days to do so. Despite the disgracefully short time frame there were over 12,000 submissions on the bill - of which 76 per cent were opposed.
This was a sham consultation process, making a mockery of Labour’s promise at the last election to ensure that major decisions about local democracy involve full participation of the local population from the outset. Yeah, right!!
Changing the law will not remove the fact that there is significant opposition to councils introducing Maori wards without gaining the consent of their communities. The onus is now fairly and squarely on local councils to consult with and respect the wishes of their citizens. If your council is one that is considering establishing separate Māori representation, we urge you to have your say – but it appears you may need to be pro-active. As regards the establishment of Māori wards many councils actively seek out the views of the iwi and Māori communities but shamefully are more reticent about seeking feedback from the wider population.
Some of us also recently also submitted on the Water Services Bill. While endorsing the intention of the Bill to ensure that drinking water supplies across New Zealand are safe and reliable, it contains some provisions of concern, including one that requires all persons who perform or exercise functions, powers, and duties under the legislation to give effect to ‘Te Mana o te Wai’. As the authorities regarding of this requirement, the legislation appears to place iwi, hapu and Māori in a powerful position. (See pages 5 & 6 of the Department of Internal Affairs Overview of Bill as Referred to the Select Committee)
Have your say.......
Please read on here > www.democracyaction.org.nz/march_2021