August 08, 2022
Ngāi Tahu council seats model for others
Legislation giving Ngāi Tahu members to Canterbury Regional Council could open doors for another iwi.
Liz Brown, who co-chairs a body representing Ngāi Tahu groups within the council boundaries, says the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Act has won comprehensive local support.
National says it isn’t democratic and will repeal it if it becomes the next government even though the new law builds on the precedent National established when it sacked the previous council.
Ms Brown says other iwi are looking at the law.
“This is unique and bespoke to Ngāi Tahu but I think it does set an example for another iwi to consider how they might be involved at a more structural level within regional environmental entities,” she says.
Liz Brown says the more conservative and long-term perspectives Māori take on issues can bring tangible benefits to the management of environmental resources.