Councillors ‘do the right thing’
it, the way Pākehā do it — it can be a mix. There’s nothing to be afraid of, we have a use, we’re valuable, the sooner you get us around your table the better. That’s not a slight on you — you may even decide you want more than two of us. We want that person to be familiar with our hapū , and work on our behalf.”
Grenville Christie urged council to “bring colour to bland Western culture, it should have been here in 1848”, while Jenni Tomlins said “don’t be afraid of inviting us to participate — the council uniforms won’t suddenly be grass skirts and taiaha”.
As Jenni went on to share her emotional story of the loss of her family’s land, the council chambers fell silent. “If you don’t have everybody at your table, people get left behind.
“Central Hawke’s Bay should not be considered just the domain of farmers and rich people. It’s a diverse and thriving place for all people and we deserve a place at this table.
“There’s a lot of pushback on this and we need to be courageous. Sometimes doing the right thing feels ugly, dangerous, unpopular. I challenge you on this, it might feel hard but it’s not. It‘s never hard to do the right thing. Do the right thing, in the right way for the right reasons.”
Ngāti Kere had brought six speakers to the meeting, to put forward their chosen option which was not a Māori ward, but appointed representation, explaining that it was important that whoever gained a seat at the council table had the mandate of the hapu, and had the knowledge to speak on behalf of the people they were to represent. Tip Tutaki explained “we don’t want to leave our representation on council to the vagaries of an election”.
After a full morning of submissions, council moved to the voting process, which was subject to debate that became heated at times.
Councillor Greer said he had a strong mandate from his voters to vote against establishing a Māori ward and instead to vote for a selection process, guaranteeing representation that had a mandate from mana whenua. He was strongly — and emotionally — supported in this by councillor Minehan, and also by councillor Aitken who supported the submissions from Ngāti Kere. Councillor Muggeridge also supported a selection process over voting.
In the final vote, the decision was four votes to five in favour of establishing a Māori ward as well as two appointed advisory roles.
The passing of the resolution was greeted with cheers, applause and tears.
Mayor Alex Walker said she felt the decision was “absolutely right”. and said “I am proud to be in this room today.”
Ngāti Kahungunu chairman Bayden Barber stood to commend the council on their decision, on behalf of “iwi, hapu and marae”.
Chairwoman of Te Taiwhenua o Tamatea, Jenny Nelson-Smith said, “It is appropriate to leave the last word to our previous chair John Barry Heperi-Smith ‘Ka whita te Akikaroa o Tamatea Tauhā, whiwhitā! — The home flames are secured — we are here, we are luminous.”’
For more on the Māori ward decision see Mayor Alex Walker’s monthly column on page 4.