Māori seats for Auckland Council: Yes/No?

Aucklanders’ views are being sought on dedicated Māori seats for Auckland Council.

Following preliminary engagement with iwi and urban Māori in 2022, Auckland Council is now seeking feedback from other Auckland citizens on whether they support - or do not support - the introduction of dedicated Māori seats on Auckland Council. Public consultation runs until Sunday 24 September 2023.

It is proposed that Auckland Council introduce up to three dedicated Māori seats. One option is for Auckland citizens on the Māori electoral roll vote for representatives to fill one or two of these seats, with a possible third to be appointed by mana whenua (Māori with ancestral authority over a specific area of land). More information on the options is available on the council website at: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/maori-seats

If adopted the Māori seats would be in addition to the Independent Māori Statutory Board (IMSB), a body established as an alternative to Māori wards. This Board is represented on all committees of the Governing Body, usually by two members, with voting rights on most of them, (although not on the Governing Body itself). This confers an unusually significant level of influence upon a group that lacks accountability to the community. As noted by Councillor Mike Lee during the council meeting where approval was being sought on the public consultation material regarding Māori seats, votes cast by IMSB members can potentially - and sometimes do - sway decisions against the preferences of the majority of our democratically elected councillors.

The fact that the IMSB already has voting rights on Governing Body committees, where most of the Council decision-making is done, is an important reason why this Board should be an integral part of the consultation with the public on whether to introduce Māori seats. However, the Council’s public consultation material does not make clear this Board not only participates in council business, but also enjoys voting power, and how much this influences the decisions made by Council.

The IMSB is one of the main drivers for Māori seats on Auckland Council. David Taipari, the chair of the IMSB, suggests that both Māori seats and the statutory board coexist. This is endorsed by Whau Ward Councillor Kerrin Leoni, who is reported as saying both can and should exist. Neither has acknowledged that a combination of the IMSB and Māori seats would further affect the question of proportionality on the committees, already seen as a contentious issue.

However, the IMSB has an even more ambitious plan for Māori representation. At its March meeting a resolution was passed recommending equal partnership and representation on Council.

What is the Independent Māori Statutory Board? The Independent Māori Statutory Board is an independent body corporate of nine members. The Board has specific responsibilities and powers under the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 to promote issues of significance to Māori to the Auckland Council, to assist the Council in making decisions, performing functions, and exercising powers. It does this through Issues of Significance - promoting cultural, economic, environmental, and social issues of significance for mana whenua groups and mātāawaka1 of Auckland. It also has a role ensuring Auckland Council complies with the Treaty of Waitangi. The IMSB members are neither elected by nor accountable to the Māori voters, let alone the wider community. Under section 82 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 they do not appear to be legally accountable to anyone.

Board membership is by way of a selection and appointment process. The Minister of Māori Development invites mana whenua to form a selection body. This body selects the nine IMSB members - seven to represent mana whenua, and two to represent mātāawaka.

The IMSB is not the only way Auckland Council ensures specific Māori input into council policies and decision-making processes. Other means include the following:

• Ngā Mātārae (Māori Outcomes Directorate) Ngā Mātārae is an in-house Māori unit within Auckland Council, the head of which sits at the executive level of council. Its role is to support the council group (including council-controlled organisations) to deliver on Māori outcomes by: - setting strategic direction; - enhancing organisational capability, systems, processes, and performance; - facilitating strategic relationships and Māori participation in decision-making.

• The Tāmaki Makaurau Mana Whenua Forum. This Forum partners with central government and Auckland Council on national and region-shaping matters it is deemed require a Māori collective voice. The Forum’s membership includes representatives of 19 Auckland council-recognised iwi/hapū. Auckland Council provides an annual grant to each of these iwi/hapū organisations to provide capability to: - respond to requests from the council, - prepare a strategic plan showing the key priorities for their respective iwi/hapū/marae, and - contribute towards the development of an iwi planning document or environmental plan.

• Co-governance arrangements. Currently there are eight co-governance and co-management arrangements between Auckland Council and Māori in Auckland. These give iwi/hapu direct influence and power over natural resources.

• Formalised agreements reached between iwi or hapu and Auckland Council “to contribute to council decision making and service delivery”. There is also provision for similar arrangements to be made between iwi/hapu and local boards.

•   Resource consents. When a consent application is deemed to affect mana whenua values, resource consent applicants are expected to consult with iwi authorities.

Have your say

The public are invited by Auckland Council to have a say, either in person or online. See the Council information page and an online feedback form at: ‘Māori Seats for Auckland Council’ https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/maori-seats Feedback must be received by Sunday 24 September 2023

References • Our Auckland: ‘Tāmaki Makaurau Māori seats consultation confirmed’ • Independent Māori Statutory Board Māori Representation Position Paper 2022 • Auckland Council: Māori Outcomes Directorate Ngā Mātārae • Auckland Council: Implementing the Māori identity and wellbeing outcome • IMSB: Schedule of ISSUES OF SIGNIFICANCE • Minutes of the IMSB meeting 6 March 2023 • Our Auckland, 20 Mar 2017: ‘Mayor signs historic iwi relationship agreement’ • Our Auckland, 20 Aug 2018: ‘Puketāpapa Local Board and Ngāti Tamaoho formalise their relationship’