Geoff Parker: Mana Whakahono ā Rohe - The Power Behind the Process

In a recent opinion piece, New Plymouth District Councillor Dinnie Moeahu defends Mana Whakahono ā Rohe (MWaR) by dismissing critics as victims of "myths" and "political slogans". He argues that because MWaR agreements under Sections 58L–58U of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) are categorised as "participation agreements", they do not transfer statutory authority, create co-governance, or establish a veto.

This defence relies heavily on semantics. In public policy and administrative law, controlling the process can significantly influence the outcome.

Bob Edlin: Abuse hurled at Mayors and Councillors......

Check out the abuse hurled at Rotorua’s mayor over ‘sacred’ lake and a sewerage pipe – but can we brand it “racist”?

The word “racism” was missing from the headline on a Post report by Joel Maxwell – Māori councillors gather for challenging year in face of rampant abuse, ‘decimation’.

But the first of three points highlighted declared:

Geoff Parker: What are you afraid of?

Recently Taranaki Daily News published a propaganda piece titled 'Māori Wards and all the things not to be afraid of ' authored by Mr Dinnie Moeahu a New Plymouth District Councillor (at large). My responses to his piece as follows.