The New Zealand Maori Council is currently prominent in it’s involvement in delaying the Government MOM share float programme.
What is the NZMC? Who is in it? Who does it represent? How democratic is it?
I’ve had a search online and it’s taken a while to find a little out.
Their website isn’t very informative and doesn’t seem totally up to date. The introduce themselves:
Welcome to New Zealand Māori Council
The New Zealand Māori Council was created by the Māori Welfare Act 1962. Since its establishment it has made submissions to government on many matters affecting Māori, particularly concerning the Treaty of Waitangi.
The Council became the National government’s main source of advice on Māori policy. It was criticised by some for being dominated by conservative Māori leaders. As the four Māori MPs were in the Labour opposition the government did not see them as a source of impartial advice. The Act also replaced tribal committees with committees representing broader Maori groups and areas as the government wanted to deal with Māori as a whole and not as individual tribes.
Otherwise…
- ‘About Us’ is blank.
- ‘Meet the Komiti’ lists the contributory district councils and lists their representatives, plus the Executive Committee.
- The Chairman is listed as Sir Graham Latimer
Apparently there are two new co-chair positions for Maanu Paul and Sir Eddie Durie
Claim Maori Council not consulting some members
Posted by karere under Maori News
Claims have been made that the Maori Council’s South Island committees were not properly consulted about changes to the organisation.
The council has recently revamped its executive line-up, creating two co-chair positions for Maanu Paul and Sir Eddie Durie – and making Sir Graham Latimer president.
But Ngai Tahu chairperson Mark Solomon says he has heard that some branches weren’t told about the changes. He says he has had phone calls from chairmen in the South Island who say they were not part of the council’s decision to create new executive positions.
Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka A Maui district chairperson Harvey Ruru says he wasn’t at an important hui in Rotorua in June to reorganise the executive.
He says he was invited to attend but the meetings have always been held in Wellington – usually with full attendance by council representatives from throughout the country.
Mr Ruru says a number of those representatives weren’t at the Rotorua meeting, so no majority decisions were made.
The Maori Council couldn’t be reached for comment.
More information from the Internet:
(from Merging the Maori Council)
…there are claims that the revival of the Maori Council is merely a power play on behalf of Donna Hall and Sir Eddie Durie, the co-chair and Hall’s partner…
Also from Maui Street…
The Maori Council consists of regional branches and each branch votes for members to sit on the New Zealand Maori Council. Or at least that was how I was told it works. Their website gives no info so I’d have to look at the legislation to be sure.
I tend to think the Maori Council is becoming increasingly irrelevant on political issues. However, with the election of Eddie Durie I think the Council might come to play an important legal role.
This comment gives a little (opinioned) insight but isn’t entirely clear:
Shane Gage | August 19th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
The NZ Maori Council (NZMC), has for a very long time been non accountable back to the people for which it purportedly represents under the Maori Community Developments Act,
To identify the problem – is to look at,and examine the tri annual election results at Maori Committee and follow on executive committee level moving up the next tier to District Maori Council, and the records of appointment from these up to NZ Maori Council Level, to be at NZMC you must have first been elected at Maori committee level by people within the roopu you reside,then credentialed by the process of appointment from executive to District Maori Council up through the ranks to NZMC
That’s not a lot to go on.
The NZMC is detailed under the Maori Community Development Act 1962.
17 New Zealand Maori Council
(1) For the purposes of this Act there shall be a New Zealand Maori Council.(2) The members of the New Zealand Maori Council shall consist of members appointed in accordance with this section by District Maori Councils.
(3) Each District Maori Council shall appoint 3 members to the New Zealand Maori Council.
(4) The members of the New Zealand Maori Council of Tribal Executives established under section 13E of the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act 1945 in office at the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to be members of the New Zealand Maori Council.
That doesn’t seem to detail a lot. According the the NZMC website there is variable numbers of members per council 1-3.
18 General functions of the New Zealand Maori Council
(1) The general functions of the New Zealand Maori Council, in respect of all Maoris, shall be—
(a) to consider and discuss such matters as appear relevant to the social and economic advancement of the Maori race
(b) to consider and, as far as possible, give effect to any measures that will conserve and promote harmonious and friendly relations between members of the Maori race and other members of the community:
(c) to promote, encourage, and assist Maoris—
(i) to conserve, improve, advance and maintain their physical, economic, industrial, educational, social, moral, and spiritual well-being;
(ii) to assume and maintain self-reliance, thrift, pride of race, and such conduct as will be conducive to their general health and economic well-being;
(iii) to accept, enjoy, and maintain the full rights, privileges, and responsibilities of New Zealand citizenship;
(iv) to apply and maintain the maximum possible efficiency and responsibility in their local self-government and undertakings; and
(v) to preserve, revive and maintain the teaching of Maori arts, crafts, language, genealogy, and history in order to perpetuate Maori culture:
(d) to collaborate with and assist State departments and other organisations and agencies in—
(i) the placement of Maoris in industry and other forms of employment;
(ii) the education, vocational guidance, and training of Maoris;
(iii) the provision of housing and the improvement of the living conditions of Maoris;
(iv) the promotion of health and sanitation amongst the Maori people;
(v) the fostering of respect for the law and law-observance amongst the Maori people;
(vi) the prevention of excessive drinking and other undesirable forms of conduct amongst the Maori people; and
(vii) the assistance of Maoris in the solution of difficulties or personal problems.(2) The New Zealand Maori Council shall advise and consult with District Maori Councils, Maori Executive Committees, and Maori Committees on such matters as may be referred to it by any of those bodies or as may seem necessary or desirable for the social and economic advancement of the Maori race.
(3) In the exercise of its functions the Council may make such representations to the Minister or other person or authority as seem to it advantageous to the Maori race.
That all doesn’t really explain a lot. Mayve someone can come up with more information.
Shane Gage
/ September 23, 2012There are two figures that face each other across the “plaque of prosperity” on the NZ Coat of Arms – ones female holding the NZ flag – the other a noble Rangatira, who is he? why is he there? seems like there’s a lot of “know all’s” who know nothing about this countries history – The NZ Maori Council is a Statutory entity it is one of the better creations to have been brought into existence from the House of Representatives last century. however being an opinionated person, I say that the council lacks administratively and often runs on personalities rather than professional conduct – come on to the Minister of Maori Affairs pick Your Portfolio responsibilities and sort it out
Sharon.
/ November 20, 2012Maori need to get off their fat asses as plant some Pohutakawa Trees at Himitangi Beach, Foxton Beach, Waikanae Beach, Castle Cliff Beach. Why should women be tortured in childbirth and these lazy men would not even plant a Pohutakawa Tree at the Beach. Get off your asses lazy Maori men, get planting today!!!!!!!!!!