August 22, 2017
Court rules out Auckland District Maori Council election
The High Court has declared unlawful the 2015 election of the Auckland District Maori Council, including the reelection of its long serving chair, Titewhai Harawira.
It means there is no currently constituted Auckland District Maori Council.
The declaration was sought by Ratana pastor and Orakei Maori Committee member Daniel Nehemia, who had sought a place on the council but was unable to because of the process followed.
The court said that process failed to comply with the requirements of the Maori Community Development Act, so any appointments were unlawful.
That also applied to the appointments of Mrs Harawira, John Tamihere and Ngaire Te Hira as Auckland representatives to the national body.
New Zealand Maori Council chair Sir Edward Taihakurei Durie says the decision supports the council’s efforts to put Maori associations on a solid legal foundation.
He says if offers guidance on how associations will manage the 2018 elections, and the consequences of breaching those requirements.
NZMC BARRISTER PHILLIP CORNEGE
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