Post by Kiwi Frontline on Oct 3, 2017 16:31:36 GMT 12
VOCAL THIRD SPEAK UP FOR MĀORI COUNCIL SEATS
Almost two-thirds of the people who have made submissions about Māori seats on the Palmerston North City Council oppose the idea.
But at a public hearing on Monday, nine out of 12 speakers urged councillors to adopt the Māori ward proposal.
Public Service Association organiser John Shennan said many of the submissions in favour represented large groups of people, and he urged the council to be "brave" and create Māori wards because it was "the right thing to do".
One of the three speakers scheduled to talk in opposition withdrew, and opponent Selwyn Brown asked to be a late addition to the list after he saw the imbalance.
Brown said the timing of the Monday afternoon hearing was weighted against participation by people who had day jobs, as opposed to those who were paid to speak for their organisations.
He said councillors had no mandate to change the system under which they were elected.
He said the Māori voice was important, and he would like to see Māori on the council, but they should stand for election under the existing system......
www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/96873381/vocal-third-speak-up-for-mori-council-seats
Almost two-thirds of the people who have made submissions about Māori seats on the Palmerston North City Council oppose the idea.
But at a public hearing on Monday, nine out of 12 speakers urged councillors to adopt the Māori ward proposal.
Public Service Association organiser John Shennan said many of the submissions in favour represented large groups of people, and he urged the council to be "brave" and create Māori wards because it was "the right thing to do".
One of the three speakers scheduled to talk in opposition withdrew, and opponent Selwyn Brown asked to be a late addition to the list after he saw the imbalance.
Brown said the timing of the Monday afternoon hearing was weighted against participation by people who had day jobs, as opposed to those who were paid to speak for their organisations.
He said councillors had no mandate to change the system under which they were elected.
He said the Māori voice was important, and he would like to see Māori on the council, but they should stand for election under the existing system......
www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/96873381/vocal-third-speak-up-for-mori-council-seats