May 04, 2023
Fear of unknown blocking co-governance
A member of the National Iwi Chairs Forum says Labour’s fear of a political backlash over co-governance keeps it from doing the right thing.
The forum, the New Zealand Māori Council and the Māori Women’s Welfare League have issued a joint statement calling on the Government to actively promote co-governance.
Te Runanga o Ngāti Kahu chair Makere Mutu says many local bodies are finding their Māori members provide sound advice on issues such as the climate and environment.
“Some bodies around this country, who have had Māori sitting there making the decisions with them, who have said ‘hey this is fine’. What you have are those who have kept themselves away from the Māori world, have no understanding of it whatsoever, and it’s a fear of the unknown,” Dr Mutu says.
She says Māori co-governance should be seen as an opportunity for improved guardianship rather than as a threat to the current order.
The National Iwi Chairs Forum is meeting today and tomorrow in Rotorua.