24 August 2009

National listens to Hide, not the people

It is tragic that the National Party values Rodney Hide’s opinion more than that of the people of Auckland, especially Maori, the Green Party said today.

“The majority of submitters to the Auckland Governance Committee, Maori and Pakeha alike, endorsed appropriate Maori representation, but instead we’re getting weak excuses and false promises,” said Sue Bradford, Green Party Auckland Issues Spokesperson tonight.

“I would love to be proved wrong, but it is extremely unlikely that Pita Sharples and Rodney Hide will come up with an adequate solution any time in the near future.

“Maori will now have to take a back seat in this new era of centralised power.”

The Royal Commission on Auckland Governance, after two years and $3 million in consultation, recommended two elected councillors from the Maori roll and a further seat reserved for mana whenua. Despite overwhelming support from submitters, all three seats are to be scrapped.

“The Treaty of Waitangi is meant to be a partnership, not a one-sided affair. It is clear that the National Party, under pressure from the extreme right, doesn’t want to play fair,” Ms Bradford said.

“With the divisive Rodney Hide calling the shots, we are now on a path to representative failure with the Super-City.

“The Green Party will continue to vote against the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill, which entrenches the historic sidelining of Maori from the political process in Auckland, against the will of the people,” Ms Bradford said.

ENDS

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