Invercargill City Council has agreed to temporarily suspend its mana whenua seat following a request from Te Rūnaka o Awarua, prompting a mix of disappointment and understanding among council members. The decision, made on Tuesday, puts the rūnaka’s representation on the council and Bluff Community Board into abeyance, but does not revoke it entirely. This move comes as the rūnaka seeks more cost-effective ways to engage with the council, raising questions about the future of Māori representation in local government and the balance between symbolic inclusion and meaningful influence.
The request for the suspension was initiated by Andria Cross, general manager of Te Rūnaka o Awarua, following a review of the rūnaka’s external representation arrangements. Cross stated that the rūnaka identified more efficient avenues for collaboration with the council, suggesting that the formal seat wasn’t essential for maintaining a strong working relationship. “There were more cost-effective ways for the rūnaka to work with council, and the relationship did not begin or complete with the roles,” she explained, according to reporting from Stuff.
A “Dark Cloud” Over the Council Chamber
The announcement was met with strong reactions from within the council itself, particularly from councillors with Māori affiliations. Councillor Andrea de Vries, a member of both Waihōpai and Awarua Rūnaka, voiced her concerns powerfully during Tuesday’s meeting. “He kapua pōuri kei rungai i tēnei whare. There is a dark cloud over this house today,” de Vries said, expressing the potential for discouragement within the Māori community and among those committed to partnership. She emphasized the importance of ensuring Māori contributions are valued and enabled, advocating for a proactive approach to rebuilding trust and fostering a welcoming environment for Māori participation.
De Vries’s vote ultimately supported placing the seat in a temporary hiatus rather than revoking it outright, a decision she framed as a commitment to “ensuring that we work very hard to become a council that Māori aim for to work with going forward.” Councillor Ria Bond echoed this sentiment, stating she felt “quite aggrieved” by the rūnaka’s intention, acknowledging the significant effort Māori had invested in gaining a presence at the council table. “I felt hurt in my heart that this had happened and rapidly tried to figure out what we could do to save this,” Bond said.
The History of Mana Whenua Representation in Invercargill
Mana whenua roles were first established in Invercargill in 2021 as part of a broader representation review process. However, these roles, even as significant symbolically, do not carry voting rights at full council meetings due to limitations within the Local Government Act. This restriction has been a point of contention, with some arguing it limits the effectiveness of Māori representation.
Pania Coote, who previously held the Awarua position, publicly highlighted these limitations during her unsuccessful bid for a council seat in the last election. She argued that the voting restrictions demonstrated the “limits of symbolic inclusion,” suggesting that true partnership requires more substantive power and influence. Matua Mike Bain has since replaced Rev Evelyn Cook as the Waihōpai Rūnaka representative. Cook, in her valedictory speech last September, openly criticized what she described as casual racism, sexism, and a lack of respect within the council chambers.
Concerns Over Remuneration
Further fueling the debate surrounding Māori representation was the issue of remuneration. Rev. Cook previously criticized the council’s decision to pay mana whenua representatives $49,275 for the current term, approximately $5,000 less than the base rate for councillors. This disparity raised questions about the value placed on Māori contributions and the commitment to equitable representation.
Invercargill Mayor Tom Campbell acknowledged the rūnaka’s decision with disappointment but affirmed the council’s respect for it. The council’s decision to put the seat into abeyance is intended to allow for further discussion and exploration of alternative models for Māori engagement. The council has not yet outlined a specific timeline for reviewing the arrangement or determining the future of the mana whenua seat.
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The suspension of the mana whenua seat in Invercargill reflects a broader conversation happening across New Zealand regarding Māori representation in local government. While the rūnaka’s decision emphasizes a desire for more effective collaboration, it also underscores the ongoing challenges of achieving meaningful partnership and addressing historical inequities. The council’s response will be closely watched as it navigates this sensitive issue and seeks to rebuild trust with the Māori community.
The next step in this process will be a council workshop scheduled for later this month, where members will discuss potential alternative models for Māori engagement and explore ways to strengthen the relationship with Te Rūnaka o Awarua. Further updates will be available on the Invercargill City Council website. We encourage readers to share their thoughts and perspectives on this important issue in the comments below.
