April 28, 2021
Wellington invites mana whenua to table
Wellington City Councillors have voted 11-3 to add mana whenua representation to council committees.
From July 1, Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira will each have members with voting rights on all council committees and subcommittees except the CEO Performance Review Committee, the city’s two community boards and the District Licensing Committee.
The recommendation stems from a notice of motion successfully introduced by Councillor Jill Day (Ngāti Tuwharetoa) last year.
Mayor Andy Foster voted for the move, despite his concern it had not been subject to full community consultation.
Councillor Jill Day, who led the move, says it was fitting that the vote came on the eve of the anniversary of the day in 1840 when Wellington rangatira signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The council is consulting on creating Māori seats in time for the 2022 election.
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