Council has a requirement to explain ways in which it might foster the development of Maori capacity to contribute to Council’s decision-making processes. Council will need to maintain and improve opportunities for Maori to contribute to local government decision-making processes, as set out in Local Government Act 2002, Section 4, Parts 2 and 6.
A partnership between the Raukawa Trust Board and Council exists through a formal Memorandum of Understanding relating mainly to resource management issues. Council’s current approach and history of consultation has been largely limited to meetings with Raukawa Trust Board management representatives on each specific Annual Plan. The Council’s Chief Executive Officer, the Mayor and Raukawa’s Chief Executive Officer meet to discuss any other major issues. Other engagement methods are limited to issue-specific meetings with Raukawa or general public engagement methods. There are no current processes in place for consultation with Nga Hau E Wha (Maori who live in the District but do not whakapapa to Raukawa, but who have ancestral ties to other areas of New Zealand). This does not diminish their status as Tangata whenua.
Current consultation on resource management issues follows a separate process guided by the Memorandum of Understanding.
Council will need to take a number of steps to broaden Maori involvement in decision-making. Section 81 of the Local Government Act of 2002 specifies that Council must provide opportunities for Maori involvement in decision-making and build Maori capacity to foster this involvement. Possible changes needed include, but are not limited to:
- the development of an overall strategy for engaging with Maori (both Raukawa and Nga Hau E Wha) and
- opportunities for Councillors and staff at all levels to engage with Raukawa and Nga Hau E Wha.
These opportunities could include:
- a hui held on marae throughout the District
- resourcing a staff level working group with Raukawa
- workshops on contemporary Maori issues to increase Council understanding and knowledge
- the development of appropriate consultation methods for Maori.
It is hoped that future decisions with Maori may help develop processes and opportunities that will function well for all Maori within the District and enhance Council’s decision-making methods.
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