“Open to working with mana whenua partners in the design and delivery of their work programmes.”
A new draft Code of Conduct would require every councillor in New Zealand to respect Treaty principles, including a duty to work with mana whenua “in the design and delivery” of council programmes.
Critics say it quietly forces co-governance through the back door.
The Local Government Commission is consulting on a model code that would apply to all councils, boards, and mayors. It sets out rules on conduct, information sharing, and conflicts of interest. But clause 8, on Te Tiriti o Waitangi, is generating pushback.
The clause requires members to respect “tino rangatiratanga” by being “open to working with mana whenua partners in the design and delivery of their work programmes.” It adds that councils should build Māori capacity to contribute to decision-making and ensure services are delivered in culturally appropriate ways.
Hobson’s Pledge has called the provision “race-based separatism.” In a newsletter, the group said:
“This code would force every councillor to bow to a race-based political ideology dressed up as Treaty ‘principles.’ Councillors are elected to represent all of their communities – not to deliver on the demands of one group.”
The government said its goal in standardising codes was to promote freedom of speech, conflict management, and consistency across the sector. Opponents argue those priorities have been hijacked, with Treaty obligations added that go far beyond current law. Submissions close today (26 September).
Read more over at Hobson’s Pledge
The Centrist is a new online news platform that strives to provide a balance to the public debate - where this article was sourced.
The clause requires members to respect “tino rangatiratanga” by being “open to working with mana whenua partners in the design and delivery of their work programmes.” It adds that councils should build Māori capacity to contribute to decision-making and ensure services are delivered in culturally appropriate ways.
Hobson’s Pledge has called the provision “race-based separatism.” In a newsletter, the group said:
“This code would force every councillor to bow to a race-based political ideology dressed up as Treaty ‘principles.’ Councillors are elected to represent all of their communities – not to deliver on the demands of one group.”
The government said its goal in standardising codes was to promote freedom of speech, conflict management, and consistency across the sector. Opponents argue those priorities have been hijacked, with Treaty obligations added that go far beyond current law. Submissions close today (26 September).
Read more over at Hobson’s Pledge
The Centrist is a new online news platform that strives to provide a balance to the public debate - where this article was sourced.
2 comments:
What outrageous nonsense. A coalition Govt that agreed it would review all unnecessary references to the Treaty; in part wouldn't countenance that there were any principles; nor would it allow the public to have a say (if there were some?) on how they are to be defined, and yet it's now contemplating instilling them in more legislation to entities that are most certainly not the Crown. Shame on them, but then wasn't this all initiated by Mahuta? It's got unelected seats at the table, compulsory consultation and, as a consequence, co-governance and more grift written all over it. Where is their mandate?
The National party doesn't seem to need a mandate. Not sure how this got past Act and NZ First. Are they asleep at the wheel? Unfortunately a lot of Councils will jump at the chance to implement this directive. Co=government by stealth
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