October 05, 2014
Plan to trim Tainui parliament
Voting opens today on a new representation structure for Waikato Tainui.
There has been recurring conflict between the powerful executive and the far larger tribal parliamwent since the iwi signed its historic treaty settlement almost two decades ago.
A review team chaired by MP Nanaia Mahuta and the chair of the tribe’s commercial arm, Sir Henry van der Heyden, has come up with two options.
The so called marae model has two representatives from each marae in the parliament, down from the current three, and a reduction of the executive from 11 to 9 members, including one appointed by the king and two independents elected at large.
The status quo plus model sticks with the current system but adds a clearer definition of the roles and responsibilities of the parliament and the executive.
Voting ends on October 29 and the tribal parliament Te Kauhanganui will make a final decision next month.
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