June 27, 2017
New Plymouth tries again on Maori input
A member of New Plymouth District Council’s new Te Huinga Taumata Committee says it shows a commitment to involving iwi in the work of council.
The council voted last night to go ahead with the committee, which is made up of five councillors and five iwi leaders.
Te Huinga will come up with items for the council to consider and make recommendations on council issues.
It can also decide names of roads and reserves and make marae development grants without having to go through to the full council.
Liana Poutu, who also chairs Te Atiawa, says unlike the previous failed effort to create a Maori ward, Te Huinga was developed by iwi and the council working together.
"There’s a realisation, albeit somewhat late, that iwi are here and we’re here for the long term. We’re not a council that gets elected every term. We are here for the long game and I think there has been a bit of a shift in thinking that actually, iwi need to be involved because they’re going to be here and they are going to be significant contributors to our communities," she says.
Ms Poutu says the treaty settlement process has changed perceptions of the role of iwi in some quarters, but there are still many in the community who oppose Maori being given a voice.
Copyright © 2017, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com