Happier council predicted with Maori approach

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Wellington’s first Maori deputy mayor is keen to bring a Maori dimension to decision-making.

Former police officer Paul Eagle from Ngati Naho and Ngati Tipa of Waikato-Tainui says he originally stood fro council out of a sense of social justice.

He wants a more unified council under new mayor Justin Lester, even if it means spending more time talking through contentious issues marae-style.

"The expectation from Wellingtonians is 'we want you guys to be united, we want you guys to thrash this stuff out' and that is why having that Maori approach, if we can put more time as councillors into thrashing out decisions, get better decisions and we will definitely get a happier council," Mr Eagle says.

Tawa school teacher Jill Day became the first Maori woman elected to the council.

She has been given the portfolios of children and young people, and iwi partnership.

PAUL EAGLE INTERVIEW

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