Maori embracing concept: Samuels

Dover Samuels

The chairman of Te Tai Tokerau Maori Advisory Committee says he's thrilled at the way Maori have embraced the concept that was developed a year ago.

Dover Samuels said the committee was formed to enable the Northland Regional Council to promote whanau, hapu and iwi participation in its processes and decision-making.

Te Tai Tokerau Maori Advisory Committee (TTMAC) met for the first time in late June last year at Otiria Marae. With over 20 permanent members, it holds formal meetings in Whangarei every two months and hapu hui at a variety of locations.

The latter have included Otiria (near Moerewa), Oruawharo (near Wellsford), Ngataki (south of Te Kao) and Rawhiti (eastern Bay of Islands).

Mr Samuels said Maoridom had leapt at the chance to engage with council through TTMAC.

The latest meeting at historic Te Rawhiti Marae on Thursday was attended by about 50 people and involved presentations from Ngati Kuta Patukeha, Ngati Hine, Ngati Manu, Ngati Rehia, Te Kapotai, Ngati Torehina, and the regional council.

"Issues on the agenda traversed a wide range of council activities including flooding, land, river, pest and integrated catchment management, consents and monitoring, harbour development and economic matters, including opportunities and support," Mr Samuels said.

Maori had much to offer the wider community across a range of areas, he said.

"Too often this goes unreported or is not adequately acknowledged and I believe this is where committees like TTMAC have a key role in that they can open up clear lines of communication and promote not just better understanding, but also genuine participation and engagement across cultures."

Mr Samuels and fellow Te Hiku ward councillor Monty Knight were recently appointed to serve as council's representatives on Te Oneroa-a-Tohe Board. The board will jointly manage Ninety Mile Beach as part of a looming Treaty of Waitangi settlement and includes members of several iwi as well as the regional and Far North District Councils.