Post by Kiwi Frontline on May 25, 2016 18:15:31 GMT 12
KAUMATUA INSIST ON MAORI REPRESENTATION PLANS FOR NEW PLYMOUTH TO BE OUTLINED BEFORE ELECTION
Te Atiawa kaumatua Grant Knuckey did not mince his words as he again asked the New Plymouth District Council to consider how it planned to involve Maori views and voices.
Knuckey, along with fellow Te Atiawa kaumatua, former police inspector Harry Nicholas, spoke to council on Tuesday night with a clear message - despite the failure of the Maori ward vote, the need to involve Maori on council was not going away.
Regardless of the failure of Maori wards, it was the council's mandate "to serve the community" and comply with the Local Government Act which lists Treaty of Waitangi obligations to include Maori, Knuckey said.
"Let's not dwell on mandates because at the end of the day for us, we're seeking a solution to an issue about representation for Maori," he said.
"It's not about Maori affairs taking over local bodies, it's about our people participating and having a voice, that's all we ask." ….
www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/80336093/kaumatua-insist-on-maori-representation-plans-for-new-plymouth-to-be-outlined-before-election
Te Atiawa kaumatua Grant Knuckey did not mince his words as he again asked the New Plymouth District Council to consider how it planned to involve Maori views and voices.
Knuckey, along with fellow Te Atiawa kaumatua, former police inspector Harry Nicholas, spoke to council on Tuesday night with a clear message - despite the failure of the Maori ward vote, the need to involve Maori on council was not going away.
Regardless of the failure of Maori wards, it was the council's mandate "to serve the community" and comply with the Local Government Act which lists Treaty of Waitangi obligations to include Maori, Knuckey said.
"Let's not dwell on mandates because at the end of the day for us, we're seeking a solution to an issue about representation for Maori," he said.
"It's not about Maori affairs taking over local bodies, it's about our people participating and having a voice, that's all we ask." ….
www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/80336093/kaumatua-insist-on-maori-representation-plans-for-new-plymouth-to-be-outlined-before-election