Labour puts forward amendments to allow for Maori seats

Pita Sharples says he will propose amendments to the 'Super Auckland' legislation when it goes through Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Legislative amendments to create Maori seats on the Auckland super council have been put forward by Labour's Maori affairs spokesman Parekura Horomia today.

Earlier this week Cabinet ruled out any reserved seats for Maori causing tensions to rise within National and between the Government's support parties - ACT and the Maori Party.

A select committee is scheduled to report back on legislation setting up the unitary regional council by September 4.

Mr Horomia said amendments to the bill tabled by him allow for two Maori seats on the council with 25 general councillors each representing a ward the same size as an MP's electorate.

The number of Maori seats would be determined by the number of people on the Maori roll.

Mr Horomia said based on the current boundaries of the proposed council this would mean two Maori seats, though this would rise and fall in the future depending on the numbers enrolled.

Other amendments to address the issue of seats reserved for local iwi would be tabled later.

The amendments have no chance of becoming law unless there is a major rebellion amongst National MPs.

The Maori Party has called on National to allow its MPs have to a free vote on the issue, but Prime Minister John Key has ruled this out.

One National MP Tau Henare lobbied hard for Maori seats, but has said he will not defy Cabinet's decision and cross the floor on the issue.

Yesterday he described Local Government Minister Rodney Hide - who pledged to resign if Maori were allocated special seats - as a "buffoon" and a "jerk-off"

He also used a much worse expletive which can not be printed.

Many iwi are angered by the decision and protests are likely.

- NZPA