Tony KokshoornJust a year after the Grey District Council declined iwi representation in a statutory review, it now proposes admitting local iwi Ngati Waewae to an equal seat at the council table.In statement released yesterday, Mayor Tony Kokshoorn said Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae would be invited to take up the seat, without voting rights at this stage. The Westland District Council made a similar move last year, inviting both iwi, Ngati Waewae and Makaawhio to non-voting council seats. Iwi would be at the council table in "a true spirit of partnership and mutual respect". The future possibility of also according the iwi rep full voting rights would be considered at the next statutory review in 2020. "Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae has no problem with this interim arrangement because discussions and debate leading to voting will be fully inclusive, involving Ngati Waewae," Mr Kokshoorn said.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 03, 2019 15:33 UTC