9. Hon SHANE JONES (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Local Government
What is the Government’s position on Māori representation for the new Auckland Council?
Hon RODNEY HIDE (Minister of Local Government) Link to this
On 6 April 2009 Cabinet agreed, as noted in Cabinet minute 0912/7, that Māori representation should not be provided for within the new Auckland governance structure.
When you took forward to Cabinet your recommendation to scrap the royal commission’s recommendations for Māori representation, who else did you ask, other than Pita Sharples, who agrees that Māori representation should be scrapped?
Mr SPEAKERI invite the honourable member to restate his question because the Speaker did not actually do any of those alleged things.
When did the Cabinet submission that was made by you, Mr Hide, to scrap Māori—apologies. Mr Hide, when the Minister—[ Interruption]
The member will resume his seat while I am on my feet. I thank the honourable member. Colleagues, I ask for a little decorum, please. I call the Hon Shane Jones, and I ask him to please concentrate.
Did the Minister seek the views of any Māori other than the Minister of Māori Affairs when deciding whether to ditch the royal commission’s recommendation for Māori representation?
Yes, we did consult, but the decision was made on the basis of a commitment to the democratic principle of one person, one vote, and also on the basis of the views of Dr Pita Sharples, who felt the royal commission had not gone far enough. He said that the proposals, as explained in the royal commission’s report, would perpetuate the failure of existing Māori representation. He felt that the proposed mana whenua councillor was unachievable, so we felt that there was more work to do in achieving proper iwi engagement.
Hon David Cunliffe Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I had great difficulty hearing the Minister, and I wonder whether he could please repeat his last comments.
Why does the Minister have confidence in the select committee process and encourage Māori to make submissions to the select committee when he has summarily dismissed their submissions—over 100 went to the royal commission—on this vexed topic of Māori representation?
I have faith in parliamentary democracy and the select committee process. I have made it plain what my views are, but ultimately the decision will be made by Parliament.
Hon Parekura Horomia