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Download AudioLocal Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta is pushing back in criticism of a plan to give Ngāi Tahu two permanent seats on the Environment Canterbury regional council.
National’s Paul Goldsmith says legislation before parliament won’t hold Ngai Tahu representatives to the same degree of accountability because they can’t be voted out, while ACT’s Simon Court says they’ll have greater voting powers than elected members.
Ms Mahuta says those views are misplaced.
“I think people try to make out representatives of iwi organisations aren’t elected. They are elected. It’s a different election system but that’s the type of issue that will be thoroughly debated at the select committee as they continue to consider the progression of that bill,” she says.
The Ngai Tahu seat was originally created when the former National Government sacked elected ECAN members and appointed commissioners.
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