Media Release 7 October 2010

Unitec gives Maori forum to debate how to get their "voice" heard in new Super City

Auckland's Super City elections may be underway but how the new council set-up will represent Maori still remains unclear. To discuss this, Unitec is hosting a public forum about what Maori can do to ensure they are fairly represented in the new Super City structure.

The Unitec Forum for the Future: Te Whakataurite Maaori: The Maori Voice will be held at Unitec's Mt Albert campus on Tuesday 12 October from 5 to 7pm.

The aim of the forum is to raise awareness around the new governance structure and inform Maori what they can do to ensure their concerns and issues are heard.

The Royal Commission report on Auckland's local government structure recommended reserved Maori seats but the Government scrapped them when it set out its plans for the new Super City.

Organisers of the forum believe there is still much that Maori do not understand about how the Super City will be run and are encouraging the community to come along to the forum to find out more.

The forum will be facilitated by Te Karere news editor and award-winning journalist Shane Taurima.

A number of high-profile Maori will sit on the panel including former Minister of Local Government, Sandra Lee; Pae Arahi Matua and Manager Maori Strategy and Relations Auckland City John Freeland; businessman Heta Hudson; co-leader of the Green Party Metiria Turei and television presenter and Unitec Director of Maori Development, Scotty Morrison.

The forum follows Tuesday night's Unitec Forum for the Future: Auckland Super City - The Pacific Voice facilitated by political commentator and consultant, Efeso Collins, with panel members including former Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Mark Gosche and community leader Alfred Ngaro.

The live studio audience will be able to participate in the discussions and ask panelists questions. And like the previous Unitec Forums for the Future, those who are unable to attend the event will be able to twitter their views and questions to the panelists.

The forums are again spearheaded by Unitec's Faculty of Creative Industries and Business through its Department of Management and Marketing with support from the Department of Performing and Screen Arts.

Unitec lecturer and forum organiser, Ngaire Molyneux says: "This will provide a forum for our students and community to focus on how these changes will impact on them, their whanau and long term future.

"It is imperative for us to consider the question 'How do we work collectively to maximise on opportunity within this governance structure?'".

The Unitec Forum for the Future: Te Whakataurite Maaori: The Maori Voice will be held at the Unitec Theatre, Building 6, Entry 1, Carrington Rd, Mt Albert on Tuesday 12 October from 5pm to 7pm.

Those who are unable to attend can follow the forum through twitter. To tweet your questions live next Tuesday between 5 and 7pm, go to: http://twitter.com/UnitecFTF

For more information for the 12 October session visit: www.forumforthefuture.unitec.ac.nz

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