Post by Kiwi Frontline on Oct 5, 2017 16:41:48 GMT 12
DEMOCRACY AT HEART OF MĀORI WARD DEBATE FOR RODNEY COUNCILLOR
Goff said polling in other areas on Māori representation had consistently seen around 80 per cent opposed to the idea and he feared a referendum would end up dividing the city.
However, Sayers is concerned the way the options were stacked meant democratic process wasn't followed, and the proposal that the public should have a say, by way of a referendum, never came to the vote.
Having Māori wards is a constitutional matter, and it was correct for it to be put to a referendum, he said.
"Any Councillor opposing a referendum is not respecting the democratic right of Auckland's citizens to have a say about what any Māori representation should be for Auckland city," he said at the meeting.
Ordinary Māori were better served democratically by Māori wards as it gave them the same voting rights as chiefs, Waitematā and Gulf ward Councillor Mike Lee said.
Piling appeared to an issue with Lee also. He felt the role of the IMSB would need to be looked at as they would have two votes on things like rates as well as the elected Māori ward councillor also having a vote......
www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/rodney-times/97557731/democracy-at-heart-of-mori-ward-debate-for-rodney-councillor
Goff said polling in other areas on Māori representation had consistently seen around 80 per cent opposed to the idea and he feared a referendum would end up dividing the city.
However, Sayers is concerned the way the options were stacked meant democratic process wasn't followed, and the proposal that the public should have a say, by way of a referendum, never came to the vote.
Having Māori wards is a constitutional matter, and it was correct for it to be put to a referendum, he said.
"Any Councillor opposing a referendum is not respecting the democratic right of Auckland's citizens to have a say about what any Māori representation should be for Auckland city," he said at the meeting.
Ordinary Māori were better served democratically by Māori wards as it gave them the same voting rights as chiefs, Waitematā and Gulf ward Councillor Mike Lee said.
Piling appeared to an issue with Lee also. He felt the role of the IMSB would need to be looked at as they would have two votes on things like rates as well as the elected Māori ward councillor also having a vote......
www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/rodney-times/97557731/democracy-at-heart-of-mori-ward-debate-for-rodney-councillor