September 02, 2013
Mayoral minnow attacks Maori board
A small group contesting the Auckland Council election hopes to foment opposition to the Independent Maori Statutory Board to harvest votes.
The board for the next three years was named last week by the Mana Whenua Selection Body, which reappointed four members and appointed five new mana whenua representatives.
Stephen Berry, who is standing for mayor on the Affordable Auckland ticket, as well as for the Waitemata & Gulf ward and the Waitemata Local Board, says the appointments are a racist affront to liberal democracy.
He called on the Government to abolish the board before the appointees begin their tenure on November 1, and said if elected he will work to cut its funding as much as possible.
Mana Whenua Selection Body convenor, Tame Te Rangi, says the Maori preference is for elected seats on the council, but Parliament decided on the appointed board which can put members on council committees.
He says the board has proved its value and legitimacy through the responsible way it went about its work in its first term.
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