Tauranga councillors have been flooded with emails opposing iwi representatives being appointed to council committees.
The emails poured in ahead of Tuesday’s Tauranga City Council meeting where the decision was made.
Councillor Hautapu Baker said the majority of the 2500 emails were from members of Hobson’s Pledge, a lobby group that opposed “special” Māori representation in Government.
In October, the council was asked to reinstate tangata whenua appointments and their voting rights on council committees by Te Rangapū Mana Whenua o Tauranga Moana chairwoman Matire Duncan.
Te Rangapū represented the 17 iwi and hapū in Tauranga.
Duncan told the meeting tangata whenua representation was a legal requirement under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Local Government and Resource Management Acts, not preferential treatment.
“It reflects a commitment to shared decision-making and inclusivity, which are vital for our community’s future.”
She said there was a lot of misinformation out there and she wanted to provide facts.
“Tangata whenua representation is not about division, but about fulfilling responsibilities and upholding the principles of equity and partnership that underpin our democracy.”
Duncan’s words were applauded by the packed public gallery.
Tauranga kaumatua Tamati Tata, Puhirake Ihaka, and Des Tata were among the 40-strong crowd in attendance.
Councillors were divided over the appointments and voting rights, but both were passed by a majority vote.
Mayor Mahé Drysdale said it was not a new approach but the status quo.
Iwi representatives had been appointed to council committees since 2016 and were given voting rights in 2020.
The council did not appoint iwi representatives when first elected in July because the new group wanted to understand if it would be beneficial, Drysdale said.
In the past, the council had not had a “great relationship” with iwi but the past few years showed the advantages of working together, he said.
“When we do actually work together, we can get better outcomes.”
Nearly every council in the country had at least one standing committee with an appointed member that had voting rights, he said
“We’re following best process.”
Baker said consistent messages in the emails were Māori wards and mana whenua representation was not needed, and supporting the appointments was race-based, racist, undemocratic and unlawful, he said.
‘Panicked voice of oppression’
People’s discontent came from a lack of understanding, Baker said.
He provided history and evidence to address the concerns of “the panicked voice of oppression”.
The idea that iwi representation was race-based decision-making “cracks me up”, Baker said.
“This idea is grounded in the notion of racial superiority, which stems from the belief that the white race is superior to others and that they should have control over people of other races.
“All we [council] are doing is enabling and empowering the equal partnership that was formalised in 1840.”
Councillor Jen Scoular said it was interesting many of the emails came from people outside Tauranga — people who wanted to be heard but who did not believe mana whenua should be heard.
The appointment of iwi representatives demonstrated a commitment to equity, partnership and inclusivity, she said.
“I strongly value the opportunity to continue to enable Māori contribution to our decision-making.”
Councillor Marten Rozeboom said a previous council approving a decision did not mean it was correct or in the best interests of the people of Tauranga.
“We are making a decision of great public interest without asking the community for feedback.
“What we are discussing here today is a change in the democratically-elected governance that the people of Tauranga voted for back in July.”
Members of the public called out and corrected his pronunciation of Tauranga.
Drysdale asked people not to comment while elected members spoke, and to respect that everyone had different opinions.
He said he appreciated the different views around the table, but he believed having iwi representatives on committees would create better outcomes.
After the appointments and voting were approved, applause and then waiata filled the room.
Tangata whenua representatives would be appointed to the council’s Audit and Risk Committee, City Futures Committee and the Community and Performance Committee.
The appointees will be nominated and endorsed by Te Rangapū based on skills, attributes and knowledge appropriate for each committee.
Te Rangapū will go through a recruitment process and make a recommendation to council in early 2025.
How they voted
Tangata whenua representatives on committees:
For: Mahé Drysdale, Jen Scoular, Hautapu Baker, Kevin Schuler, Rod Taylor, Steve Morris.
Against: Marten Rozeboom, Rick Curach, Glen Crowther.
Voting rights for Tangata whenua representatives on committees:
For: Mahé Drysdale, Jen Scoular, Hautapu Baker, Kevin Schuler, Rod Taylor.
Against: Steve Morris, Marten Rozeboom, Rick Curach, Glen Crowther.
Absent: Mikaere Sydney.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air