Iwi eyes seat at council table

Arapeta Tahana

Te Arawa has put forward its preferred model for future engagement with the Rotorua Lakes Council which includes the provision for iwi members to sit on council committees with speaking and voting rights.

The iwi endorsed its proposed partnership model at a hui-a-iwi (tribal meeting) on Sunday at Tangatarua Marae.

The model will be formally presented to the council at a meeting on Thursday. In January, the council's Te Arawa Standing Committee iwi members met with Te Arawa stakeholders to seek direction on the development of a new model to replace the committee.

About 300 iwi members attended 12 hui during the past 12 months to discuss how best they could engage with the council.

The proposal is similar to one reported on by the Rotorua Daily Post in May, when councillor Mike McVicker released its details to the paper.

Standing committee spokesman Arapeta Tahana said Te Arawa's endorsement of the proposal followed months of discussion with the tribe.

The partnership model proposes the establishment of an independent board of up to 14 members, outside of the council structure, to be elected or appointed by Te Arawa.

The board would then nominate two members to sit on the council's key committees - Operations and Monitoring, and Strategy, Policy and Finance - with speaking and voting rights, with additional representation on hearing panels and the council's Chief Executive Performance Committee.

The board would also have an executive officer whose costs would be co-funded by Te Arawa and the council.

To date, consultation on the proposal has cost ratepayers $27,989 for consultancy fees, legal advice and costs for hui.

Estimates reveal the proposed Te Arawa Board model would cost $290,000 to run on election years and $250,000 on non-election years.

Mr Tahana said it had become increasingly clear to the committee, Te Arawa and the council, that the former standing committee model was "no longer adding value".

"Our review has taken longer than anticipated but it was essential to take the time to research well, develop options and engage with our people.

"Sunday's final hui-a-iwi was an opportunity for Te Arawa to affirm their support for the proposed model, which they have now done.

"We believe it's a responsible and rational proposal that will provide an opportunity for Te Arawa and the council to embark on a genuine and enduring partnership. It will also give effect to the council's legislative responsibilities to include Maori in decision-making."

Mr Tahana said Te Arawa would be "encouraging the mayor and councillors to accept our proposal in full".

He said the proposal was in no way radical, "there are unelected members already sitting on council committees like the [former] tourism committee and audit and risk [sub] committee, so it's nothing new".

The Rotorua Lakes Council will meet to discuss this and other issues, including a proposal to build an indoor sports training facility in Ngongotaha, at its final meeting of the year on Thursday from 4pm in the Council Chamber. The meeting is open to the public and the agenda is available online at www.rdc.govt.nz.