March 11, 2013
Mārae triumvirates planned for Arawa parliament
Te Arawa is considering creating a parliament with a similar structure to the one causing disharmony in Waikato-Tainui.
The proposal to be voted on at a hui-ā-iwi next weekend is for each of the 50 or so marae in the confederation to elect a kaumatua, a younger person and someone with business or economic skills.
Toby Curtis, the Chair of Te Arawa Lakes Trust, says the model has been discussed with Waikato-Tainui, where internal power battles and frequent court challenges have sparked calls for a simpler structure.
"We have been well informed by Waikato to base the ture, the law regarding our structure on tikanga and kawa, don't resort too much to the Pakeha law, it isn't very helpful," he says
Mr Curtis hopes the new structure can eventually draw in all of the many bodies now speaking for Te Arawa on various kaupapa.
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