Rotorua District Council leads the way on Māori representation

“Racism has been defeated by fairness, justice and reason today,” said Māori Party co-leader and Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell in response to Te Arawa winning their battle for better local government representation.

The Rotorua District Council has voted to accept a modified version of the Te Arawa Partnership Model today after receiving more than 1800 submissions on the issue. This will ensure that a Te Arawa representative will be on all standing committees.

“During the submission hearings, the people of Te Arawa have had to stare at, and sit next to, the ugly face of racism, but today it was booted out the door, and rightfully so. I am so relieved that the tāngata whenua of Rotorua have been listened to because what is good for Te Arawa is good for the city.

“Non-Māori have nothing to fear from an improved partnership at local government between Te Arawa and the Council. Our history is one of caring for everyone in our district. Te Arawa gifted the land that is now the township and in the spirit of manaakitanga, the proposed partnership going forward gives expression to this,” says Mr Flavell.

While there are so many people from Te Arawa to thank for mobilising the iwi’s campaign, Mr Flavell said he was particularly impressed with the efforts of the tribe’s young people.

“Our young people drove this campaign to a whole new level using all sorts of measures to educate and inform our community about the issues related to fairer representation and I’m sure that inspired so many of our people to get along to the hearings and have their say.”

“The leadership shown by Te Arawa and the Rotorua District Council today is an example of what can be achieved if justice is at the forefront of our decisions. Let me be clear – the option agreed today is an alternative to the unjust legislation that makes it almost impossible for Māori wards to be established,” says Māori Party Co-leader Marama Fox.

“It is the only piece of legislation that requires a referendum regarding representation. This unfair legislation is firmly in our sights and we intend to do everything we can to change it,” says Mrs Fox.

ENDS

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