Teanau Tuiono
Green Party MP
A successful hikoi in Manawatu has challenged the decision by the Manawatu District Council to defer introducing Maori Wards to 2024.
“Today I walked with iwi, hapu and whanau from across the Manawatu to protest against Manawatu District Council deferring of Maori wards to 2024”, says Green Party MP and Te Matawaka member Teanau Tuiono.
“Kicking the can down the road and expecting Maori to wait once again is not acceptable and councils should not be allowed to tokenise their relationships with local iwi. Our whanau have been once again pushed out of the door and made to wait until 2024.
“The failure of the Manawatu District Council to grasp the amazing opportunity to begin to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to improve the governance capability of the council is very disappointing.”
“Today representatives from all 12 Manawatu marae shared their collective frustration towards the council as they continue to overlook their responsibility when honouring Tino Rangatiratanga and kaitiakitanga within their region.
“I campaigned in Palmerston North and the wider Manawatu to establish Maori wards in 2018, our campaign was an aspirational campaign encouraging kotahitanga and diversity as a positive counter to the politics of division.
“We have been clear on our position for Maori wards and I will continue to tautoko local iwi, hapu and whanau to ensure their voices are heard and not used when the council needs them to bless, karakia or sing a waiata.”
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