May 01, 2015
Te Arawa council lawful
Rotorua Lakes Council has been told a proposed new model for partnership with Te Arawa is lawful and compliant with the council’s legislative obligations.
The council is about to hold public hearing on a new structure to replace the Te Arawa Standing Committee.
Iwi representatives want the Te Arawa community to elect an independent board which then nominates people for appointment to certain council committees, Resource Management Act consent hearing panels and strategic working groups.
The final vote on the appointments would be by publicly elected members on the full council.
Mayor Steve Chadwick says the positive opinion from local government experts Tompkins Wake Lawyers means the council can now focus on listening to the 200 submitters.
The Local Government Act obliges councils to provide opportunities for Maori to contribute to decision-making processes.
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