Post by Kiwi Frontline on Oct 26, 2017 17:48:28 GMT 12
HAMILTON SAYS NO FOR NOW TO MAORI WARDS
The potential for divisive debate around Māori electoral wards in Hamilton has caused iwi groups to drop the idea for now.
But the council will look into other options, such as appointing external Māori members to council committees.
A citizen-initiated poll would be an "ultimate inevitability" if the seats were brought in, Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa spokesman Glenn Tupuhi told councillors at an October meeting.
"That would subject our community as a whole and our Māori sector of that community to a degree of stress that we all do not need," he said.
Tupuhi said iwi support the idea of appointing Māori to council committees.
Local Māori want to make a contribution and need to be at the decision-making table, Te Ha o te Whenua o Kirikiriroa spokesman Rawiri Bidois said.
"[There is a] big difference between consultation and decision-making," he said.
"We believe that the wards process is probably not the one to go down at the present time ... given the potential divisiveness it might create, given the Māori problem participating in local politics anyhow."
Hamilton Councillor Dave Macpherson agreed that would "excite unreasonable and unnecessary debate and divisive debate".
Including Māori voices on existing committees could be an interim step, he said......
www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/98191633/hamilton-says-no-for-now-to-mori-wards
The potential for divisive debate around Māori electoral wards in Hamilton has caused iwi groups to drop the idea for now.
But the council will look into other options, such as appointing external Māori members to council committees.
A citizen-initiated poll would be an "ultimate inevitability" if the seats were brought in, Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa spokesman Glenn Tupuhi told councillors at an October meeting.
"That would subject our community as a whole and our Māori sector of that community to a degree of stress that we all do not need," he said.
Tupuhi said iwi support the idea of appointing Māori to council committees.
Local Māori want to make a contribution and need to be at the decision-making table, Te Ha o te Whenua o Kirikiriroa spokesman Rawiri Bidois said.
"[There is a] big difference between consultation and decision-making," he said.
"We believe that the wards process is probably not the one to go down at the present time ... given the potential divisiveness it might create, given the Māori problem participating in local politics anyhow."
Hamilton Councillor Dave Macpherson agreed that would "excite unreasonable and unnecessary debate and divisive debate".
Including Māori voices on existing committees could be an interim step, he said......
www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/98191633/hamilton-says-no-for-now-to-mori-wards