November 11, 2013
Maori board building credibility
The returning chair of Auckland’s Independent Maori Statutory Board says it has proven its value, and it should do great things over the next three years.
David Taipari says criticism over the board’s funding and objectives died away as members built up their credibility around the committee tables.
He says confidence has grown, and people are getting a better sense of what the board can and can’t do.
"Because what we’re really after here is getting Maori themselves around the table, not necessarily the board, and I believe the board is a facilitory vehicle to enable that, and I'm seeing a lot more interaction with Maori direct and Auckland Council and I think that's where the challenge is on all of us to make sure that it is maintained and when they do get to the table it is absolutely genuine," Mr Taipari says.
The board had been developing mechanisms to improve its communication with the mana whenua and maataawaka it is supposed to represent.
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