He said the move came without proper process or meaningful consultation with Houkura or the council.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way this change was advanced is deeply concerning, particularly given the amendment expressly and exclusively targets Houkura, while no other entity is similarly identified.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe deliberate targeting of Houkura cannot be viewed in isolation. It forms part of a pattern that diminishes M\u0101ori participation and influence in local government. <\/p>\n
Independent M\u0101ori Statutory Board chairman David Taipari. Photo \/ Dean Purcell<\/p>\n
However, Taipari said Houkura remained committed to working constructively with the council, mayor and central government to deliver better outcomes for Aucklanders. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor that reason, Houkura supports Auckland Council and Mayor Wayne Brown continuing to progress the Auckland Deal.\u201d <\/p>\n
He said the Auckland Deal provided an important opportunity for Auckland to secure investment, infrastructure and economic development for the region\u2019s long-term benefit. <\/p>\n
\u201cHoukura does not consider the removal of our voting rights should prevent Auckland from pursuing opportunities that can deliver meaningful benefits for its communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur position is pragmatic: we can disagree with the Government\u2019s decision while continuing to work in the best interests of Auckland.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watts told the Herald the decision to ban non-elected committee members from voting applied to all councils, but members retained the ability to offer their views, advice and sit on committees. <\/p>\n
\u201cThese changes were discussed with the Auckland Council.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brown acknowledged the contribution of Houkura and its members to improving decision-making over the past 16 years.<\/p>\n
He said the Houkura board contributed to democracy, rather than undermining it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know why the Government is picking a fight on this or what the problem they\u2019re trying to solve is.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWe also have a Regional Deal that says we work together as partners, not just find out what\u2019s happening in an amendment paper. Sometimes partners need reminding that partnerships go both ways.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Government\u2019s made its decision, and we will see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown advised the Government to “butt out of our business”.<\/p>\n
The Herald revealed last month that Brown had sent a terse message to Watts over claims the Government was meddling in the council\u2019s democratic processes. <\/p>\n
He accused Watts of \u201cpicking a fight\u201d with the council and breaching promises made to elected members earlier this year. <\/p>\n
He also released a letter he sent to Watts in July, in which Brown warned any such move would be completely unnecessary and \u201ccounter to the principles\u201d of the Auckland Deal agreement.<\/p>\n
Any move to ban voting rights for Houkura members could result in Auckland Council walking away from the Auckland Deal arrangement, Brown warned in the letter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is another ill-thought-through policy that will wind up costing the ratepayers with no real benefit to Auckland,\u201d Brown said.<\/p>\n
Local Government Minister Simon Watts.<\/p>\n
Brown suggested in the letter that the Government\u2019s polling ahead of the election may be behind the move.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy suggestion to Wellington is butt out of our business. Auckland is quite capable of making decisions that work best for us.\u201d <\/p>\n
In response, Watts maintained that Brown had been informed about the policy change and that the decision had been discussed at an Auckland Deal group meeting. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe mayor\u2019s office also received a copy of the press release and amendment yesterday, including the confirmed timing for its release. I also contacted the mayor and deputy mayor again this morning to confirm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watts said the Government stood by its decision that unelected members should not have the same voting rights as elected members. <\/p>\n
\u201cDemocracy is non-negotiable \u2013 elected representatives are accountable to their communities, and voting rights should reflect that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lane Nichols is Auckland Desk Editor and a senior journalist for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years\u2019 experience in the industry<\/p>\n