Post by Kiwi Frontline on May 18, 2019 6:13:25 GMT 12
Otago Daily Times 18/5/19
OTAGO Regional Council councillors are elected representatives and have to go through a rigorous process to become so. To appoint iwi seats with voting rights on the Policy Committee is to undermine our democratic method.
The Policy Committee has the right to authorise temporary appointees if it wishes to have some advice on a particular subject but it should not use the back door to conveniently ‘‘sneak’’ in iwi appointees and give them voting rights on ORC policy. This is highly undemocratic and insulting to all New Zealanders, whether of European, Asian, Pasifika or any other descent. Our representatives should be voted in on the basis of citizenship, not ethnicity.
Ngai Tahu Maori are New Zealanders and should be treated as such. In fact, our last census showed that there are more Asian New Zealanders than Maori and Pasifika combined.
If the ORC has a Memorandum of Understanding with Ngai Tahu, it should not extend to offering the iwi paid positions or voting rights on any of its committees.
Remember the experiences of the Canterbury Regional Council which had its Ngai Tahu Representation Bill withdrawn on the basis that New Zealanders’ voting rights should be based on citizenship, not ethnicity. The Bill was withdrawn when it became obvious that it did not have the votes to get through Parliament (with National, NZ First and Act all opposed to it). [Abridged]
LIZ AND PETER SIMPSON, Mosgiel
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers
OTAGO Regional Council councillors are elected representatives and have to go through a rigorous process to become so. To appoint iwi seats with voting rights on the Policy Committee is to undermine our democratic method.
The Policy Committee has the right to authorise temporary appointees if it wishes to have some advice on a particular subject but it should not use the back door to conveniently ‘‘sneak’’ in iwi appointees and give them voting rights on ORC policy. This is highly undemocratic and insulting to all New Zealanders, whether of European, Asian, Pasifika or any other descent. Our representatives should be voted in on the basis of citizenship, not ethnicity.
Ngai Tahu Maori are New Zealanders and should be treated as such. In fact, our last census showed that there are more Asian New Zealanders than Maori and Pasifika combined.
If the ORC has a Memorandum of Understanding with Ngai Tahu, it should not extend to offering the iwi paid positions or voting rights on any of its committees.
Remember the experiences of the Canterbury Regional Council which had its Ngai Tahu Representation Bill withdrawn on the basis that New Zealanders’ voting rights should be based on citizenship, not ethnicity. The Bill was withdrawn when it became obvious that it did not have the votes to get through Parliament (with National, NZ First and Act all opposed to it). [Abridged]
LIZ AND PETER SIMPSON, Mosgiel
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers
