March 24, 2015
Council consultation ignoring urbans
Tamaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare is questioning how councils and government agencies are engaging with urban Maori.
He says constituents have come to him to express their disappointment with the way Auckland Council has managed consultation on its 10-year plan.
The council held hui with maatawaka at Manurewa, Mahurehure and Hoani Waititi Marae and finished with a hui for mana whenua iwi at the Auckland Town Hall on Monday.
Mr Henare says some people felt it hadn’t reached out enough.
"A lot of people talk about how the council and other agencies are really good at engaging with iwi, but my question on that is what about the fastest growing iwi in the country which is urban Maori? We just don't seem to be able to fins a voice in this iwi-ccentric agenda being pushed not only by regional councils or local bodies but also in central government and that’s a big concern," Mr Henare says.
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com