Ma¯ori voice in council bolstered
Waikato District Council has strengthened the Ma¯ ori voice in its decision making by approving the appointment of two Ma¯ ngai Ma¯ ori, (Voice of
Ma¯ ori) positions to its three major council committees.
Former Waikato Tainui tribal authority chairperson, independent hearings commissioner, chartered accountant and Justice of the Peace Maxine Moana-Tuwhangai (Waikato), was chosen by the council as Ma¯ ngai Ma¯ ori on two of its three principal committees Strategy and Finance, and Policy and Regulatory. The other is
Brendon Green (Nga¯ ti Hikairo, Waikato Tainui, Nga¯ puhi), an experienced commercial director, current Watercare board member, tribal representative of Te Whakakitenga o Waikato Tainui, and director of Tainui Kawhia Inc.
He formerly held executive and management roles in the energy sectors in the US, Mexico and New Zealand and was chosen by the Council on the Infrastructure Committee.
Ms Moana-Tuwhangai and Mr Green were recommended to the council by an appointments panel consisting of Mayor Allan Sanson, Deputy Mayor Aksel Bech,
Waikato Tainui appointments panel representative Patience Te Ao, and WDC Chief Executive’s independent representative Craig Barrett.
Mayor Allan Sanson said that he looked forward to seeing the voice of Ma¯ ori, strengthened in council decision making and engagement.
“This is a positive thing for the Waikato district and our organisation.
“Ma¯ ngai Ma¯ ori has been a longterm goal of our Waikato Tainui Waikato District Council Joint Management Committee, so it’s pleasing to see us reach this milestone together,” he said.
“The calibre of applicants we received was extremely high, which is evident by the two outstanding candidates we approved to join us at the council committee table. I look forward to working with them both,” he said.
Council decided that the appointments will start immediately to enable an induction process to begin for both Ma¯ ngai Ma¯ ori.
Council approved the establishment of the Ma¯ ngai Ma¯ ori positions, with full voting and speaking rights, as part of its 2019-22 governance structure.