June 15, 2016
Court sets Maori Council on clear path
The tussle for control of the New Zealand Maori Council has been settled with the High Court formally declaring a meeting in February was not a lawful council meeting and any decisions made were void.
The meeting at Hoani Waititi Marae elected a new executive chaired by Maanu Paul.
But in April the court was asked to set aside that result, on the basis the meeting was improperly called and there was not a quorum.
A subsequent council meeting elected Sir Edward Taihakurei Durie as sole chair, Owen Lloyd of Gisborne as his deputy and a new executive.
Sir Edward says yesterday’s decision pulls the rug from under those who have sought to take over the Council by unlawful means, and confirms the majority commitment to the constitution, democracy and good governance.
He says while there was robust debate within the Council on Maori policy issues it was a healthy debate which did not detract from the Council’s overall unity nor the members’ commitment to promote good policy for Maori people and the country.
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