October 30, 2020
Maori impact leads to shift in Auckland Council
Auckland Council’s Māori portfolio lead says while elected members are becoming more aware of the impact on Māori of their policies, change is still needed in the organisation.
Angela Dalton yesterday presented the Outcomes for Māori Policy Framework to the council.
She says it’s work that needs to be embedded in everything done by the council and its council controlled organisations – and she expects a positive reception.
"Te reo is becoming commonplace in our meetings which is really good and all the questioning too around Māori impact, I am seeing more of that. I think the organisation itself needs to make a cultural shift in their thinking so a way to go but I have seen a shift, particularly as I used to go into council when I was a local board chair and I have absolutely seen a shift since 2010, 11, 12," Ms Dalton says.
She says many Māori impact statements are fairly meaningless, but the Independent Māori Statutory Board members on council committees are very good at pointing out any flaws.
The council today published its 2019/2020 Annual Report, showing it had invested a record $2.6 billion in the city’s assets including $1.1 billion in transport infrastructure and $748 million in water infrastructure.
It ended the year with an operating surplus $752 million because of a fourth quarter spending slowdown during the COVID-19 lockdown, but it’s anticipating a $690 million shortfall this financial year.
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