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With local elections fast coming up, it’s time again to pick Auckland’s Independent Maori Statutory Board.
A selection panel drawn from Auckland’s mana whenua iwi will appoint the members – including two representatives of mata waka, the majority of Maori who live in the super city but come from iwi outside Tamaki Makaurau.
Last time the High Court threw out one of the panel’s selections because it hadn’t given proper consideration to the applications, so mana whenua will have some clear guidelines to work on this year.
Panel chair Tame Te Rangi from Ngati Whatua says Tamaki Makaurau is now the largest centre of Maori population in the world, and it’s important there is strong advocacy for all Maori, not just mana whenua.
"There are only two positions for the statutory board but how is it that we can ensure there is connection, there is context around how decisions are made that includes the direction the aspirations, the future thinking of generaitons to come, irrespective of where they are located," he says.
Applications for the two mata waka positions close on Tuesday, August 23.
Information is at manawhenuaselectionbody.maori.nz
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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