2 x Articles 1/7/21 - Dunedin, He Puapua

[Kiwi Frontline]

DUNEDIN COUNCILLOR THREATENED BEFORE VOTE ON MĀORI REPRESENTATION

Emailed threats have not dissuaded Dunedin City Council from overwhelmingly voting to bolster Māori representation around the council table.

Councillors were considering whether to allow Māori representatives on two standing committees at a full meeting of the council today.

Councillor Carmen Houlahan said that before today's vote she had received a threatening email from a community board member that said "the quiet Kiwi will remember how you vote".

Councillor Chris Staynes said it was an "absolute red-letter day" for the council and a step towards honouring what was agreed when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed.

The motion was carried 14-1 and was greeted with applause and a waiata.

Lee Vandervis was the only councillor to vote against the motion......

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/dunedin-councillor-threatened-before-vote-on-maori-representation/VDCVKLQSI5SLPXU74X7QG5DEPU/

[Kiwi Frontline]

MĀORI TO BE CONSULTED FIRST ON CONTROVERSIAL CO-GOVERNANCE REPORT

The Government will consult with Māori first about the controversial He Puapua report before they create a declaration plan that will go to the wider public next year, 1 NEWS understands.

Executive director of the Māori Council, Matthew Tukaki, said shared decision-making would be top of the list in such discussions.

“If we have a look at the RMA, for example, and the three bits of legislation coming down the line, it's about having equal say in how our lands, how our waterways, our taonga, our flora, our fauna are managed.”

Everything is on the table but there are no promises with issues like a Māori upper parliament and entrenching the Māori seats still hot topics.

“There is an argument for more Māori seats in the New Zealand parliament,” Tukaki said......

www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/m-ori-consulted-first-controversial-co-governance-report