Time for Ma¯ori wards decision

Ma¯ ori wards could finally become a permanent feature of the Hamilton City Council, with the city’s politicians poised to make a ruling on whether to introduce them.

The decision, at an extraordinary council meeting tomorrow, will be one of the most important of the year and the councillors will have much food for thought. One morsel on the platter of considerations will be whether the council’s ma¯ ngai Ma¯ ori appointees are representing Ma¯ ori interests on the council much more effectively than someone who is elected ever could.

The Government amended legislation to allow councils to create Ma¯ ori wards, without the threat of ‘‘citizen-initiated’’ petitions to overturn such moves – a threat that forced initiatives to introduce the wards in Hamilton in 2017 to be abandoned.

While the removal of the potential for a ‘‘community veto’’ is seen as a way of encouraging all councils around the country to introduce formal Ma¯ ori representation, some are in greater need than others – and where Hamilton sits on that sliding scale is a matter for debate.

The quintet of ma¯ ngai Ma¯ ori appointees were chosen by Waikato-Tainui and the urban Ma¯ ori authority Te Ru¯ nanga o¯ Kirikiriroa for their skills and experience. They have full voting rights at the committee level, but don’t sit on the full council.

There are four options before the council, the first being to simply maintain the status quo by retaining the ma¯ ngai Ma¯ ori positions. The second option would be to commit to a review of Ma¯ ori representation arrangements – including consideration of Ma¯ ori wards – following the adoption of the He

Pou Manawa Ora strategy.

Option three would be to give the green light to establishing Ma¯ ori wards for the 2022-25 triennium, and also retain the ma¯ ngai appointees. Option four is the same as option three, but would involve the disestablishment of the ma¯ ngai positions. Both options three and four could, if the council deems it necessary, involve a public consultation phase.

Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate said she could not speak about any preferences she might have regarding the wards, as she first needed to listen to the debate in full before venturing her views.

‘‘I’m keeping an open mind. I’m looking forward to a considered, respectful discussion on Thursday, although I know there will be a range of views . . . I honestly can’t pick the way the council is leaning on this one.

‘‘One of the challenges will be to our ability to consider the nuances . . . It’s important that we make a quality decision.’’

Ma¯ ngai Olly Te Ua, who represents the interests of the ru¯ nanga on the council said his view reflected that of the authority, which was keen on both wards and retaining the ma¯ ngai.

‘‘I don’t want to sound conceited, but the ma¯ngai Ma¯ori model has been really successful . . . He Pou Manawa Ora remains a good next step for council. It’s all part of the journey.’’

Ma¯ ngai Te Pora Thompson said the iwi had made their position clear.

‘‘There’s good grounds for a hybrid model [of both ma¯ ngai and wards] to get full value. Ma¯ ngai bring expertise . . . but we don’t get a say on council. That’s the only downfall of the ma¯ ngai.’’

Waikato-Tainui chief executive Donna Flavell declined to comment until after she addresses the council tomorrow.