Activity: Mˉaori Engagement

Council has a number and range of statutory functions that require recognition and respect of the Crown’s responsibility to take account of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi as well as improving opportunities for Māori to participate in Council’s decision-making processes. The opportunity and ability for Māori to participate enables them to provide for their wellbeing while recognising and providing for the relationship of Māori, their culture and traditions, with their ancestral lands, water, sites wahi tapu and other taonga.

As part of their function, the Māori Development activity is tasked with facilitating and liaising with Iwi/Hapu to give effect to Council’s responsibilities.

Both the Resource Management Act 1991 and Local Government Act 2002 require Council to establish more formal, meaningful, and sustainable relationships with Māori. These relationships guided by the Treaty of Waitangi are intended to foster :

• Opportunities for Māori to contribute to decision making processes of Council.
• The development of Māori capacity to contribute to the decision-making processes of Council.
• The provision of information to Māori so they are enabled to contribute to the decision making processes of Council.
• Improved consultation with Māori by establishing key working parties and focus groups.

Key facts 

• Nearly half the population (43%) of the Far North District population identify themselves as Māori.
• Approximately 18% of land in the Far North District is in Māori title.
• Approximately 43% of Māori in Tai Tokerau (Northland) are able to understand or converse in Te Reo Māori.
• There are approximately 144 marae, 10 Iwi Runanga and over 200 Hapu within the Far North District.
• Over the next 10 years the most significant Treaty Settlements will occur within the Far North.
• Council has received 8 Iwi/Hapu Management Plans that require facilitation and implementation.

Our major achievements in 2012/13 

Highlights of our progress during 2012/13 include:

• Developed a unified model for direct Māori representation within a Far North Unitary Authority,
• Establishment of key working parties and focus groups with unitary Authority, economic development, rating and Māori reference groups to develop better working relationships, and build the capacity of these communities of interest.

Challenges we experienced 

• Managing expectations and relationships. 

Plans for the next 12 months 

• Determining options for direct representation of Māori in Council decision making and finalising a strategy.
• Continuing with investigating options for the development of Māori land.