August 17, 2016
Urban Maori rankle at under-representation
The National Urban Maori Authority says Maori from iwi outside of Tamaki Makaurau are under-represented on Auckland’s Independent Maori Statutory Board.
The nine-member board includes just two places for so called mataawaka, compared with seven for mana whenua iwi and hapu.
NUMA chief executive Lance Norman says with more than 80 percent of Auckland’s Maori population being mataawaka, a 50-50 split would be closer to fair.
NUMA has nominated urban Maori advocates Willie Jackson and John Tamihere for the two seats.
Mr Norman compared the process where only mana whenua choose the mataawaka representatives as being worthy of Apartheid-era South Africa.
He says the board wasn’t even a good advocate for mana whenua, stepping aside from the debate on the Auckland Unitary Plan and in the process losing protection for wahi tapu.
Nominations for the two mataawaka positions close on Tuesday. Information is at www.manawhenuaselectionbody.maori.nz
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