Post by Kiwi Frontline on May 24, 2021 3:46:29 GMT 12
Bob Edlin: WATER AND THE CO-GOVERNING NUMBERS CAPER IN WHICH 68,000 NGAI TAHU MIGHT CARRY THE SAME CLOUT AS 750,000 SOUTH ISLANDERS
The news media hastened to air Ngai Tahu’s prompt rebuttal of Opposition leader Judith Collins claim that the Government would be giving the tribe an ownership stake in the South Island’s water and water assets.
It has not been so hasty to clearly explain the implications of what Ngai Tahu does want.
Collins referred to a document which – she said – meant South Island water services would be co-owned by Ngai Tahu and the Government.
Not so, was the prompt and tart rebuttal from the tribe and from central and local government leaders.
Co-governance maybe, co-ownership no.
But what does co-governance mean for the administrative structure?
At first blush, vital questions of democratic governance and accountability are raised.
In a press statement from Hobson’s Choice (not published by news media or posted by Scoop or Voxy) the implications are simply spelled out.
** One lot of co-governors would represent Ngai Tahu, a tribal business entity that claims the affiliation of 68,000 people,
** The other lot would represent 23 councils which “may represent 750,000 people”.
If you prefer to use 2018 census figures, they show Maori comprise 110,301 (10%) of a total South Island population of 1,104,531
The 23 local authorities, by the way, serve ALL of the people who live within their boundaries.
The tribe’s political ambitions are no secret – they are reflected in a claim in the High Court, reported on the Ngai Tahu website in an article headed Enough is enough – why Ngāi Tahu is suing the Crown over its waterways......
breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2021/05/bob-edlin-water-and-co-governing.html
The news media hastened to air Ngai Tahu’s prompt rebuttal of Opposition leader Judith Collins claim that the Government would be giving the tribe an ownership stake in the South Island’s water and water assets.
It has not been so hasty to clearly explain the implications of what Ngai Tahu does want.
Collins referred to a document which – she said – meant South Island water services would be co-owned by Ngai Tahu and the Government.
Not so, was the prompt and tart rebuttal from the tribe and from central and local government leaders.
Co-governance maybe, co-ownership no.
But what does co-governance mean for the administrative structure?
At first blush, vital questions of democratic governance and accountability are raised.
In a press statement from Hobson’s Choice (not published by news media or posted by Scoop or Voxy) the implications are simply spelled out.
** One lot of co-governors would represent Ngai Tahu, a tribal business entity that claims the affiliation of 68,000 people,
** The other lot would represent 23 councils which “may represent 750,000 people”.
If you prefer to use 2018 census figures, they show Maori comprise 110,301 (10%) of a total South Island population of 1,104,531
The 23 local authorities, by the way, serve ALL of the people who live within their boundaries.
The tribe’s political ambitions are no secret – they are reflected in a claim in the High Court, reported on the Ngai Tahu website in an article headed Enough is enough – why Ngāi Tahu is suing the Crown over its waterways......
breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2021/05/bob-edlin-water-and-co-governing.html