Race relations for the new Auckland council already on the back foot
Calls for stronger representation for Maori on the new Auckland City Council have been welcomed by Labour's Maori Affairs spokesperson, Parekura Horomia.
“In the Human Rights Commission’s annual report, Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres criticised the structure of the new Auckland super city, stating that an effective super city voice for Maori, Pacific and other communities should be a top priority.
“This National government came into office promising to listen to New Zealanders. Yet, when Maori told the government they wanted dedicated Maori seats on the Auckland City Council, when they took to the streets in protest, John Key ignored their calls.
“It is disappointing that the Maori Party, who now sit on the government benches, do not have the mana or the influence to sway John Key and Rodney Hide in favour of fair Maori representation on the Auckland Council.
“It is becoming more apparent that when this government makes decisions, like those announced by Steven Joyce around funding tertiary institutions, the Maori Party and Maori Party ministers are cut out of that process, or are just simply ignored.
“The Maori Party campaigned on being an independent voice for Maori. The problem is, is that John Key seems to silence that voice whenever it talks out of turn”.
