19 November 2021
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Representation Review decision
Enquiry
Comments from [Te Tatau o Te Arawa board chair] Te Taru White below for right of reply from the council / mayor where appropriate.
COMMENTS
Te Tatau o Te Arawa chairman Te Taru White said Te Tatau was "disappointed and a little bit angry" at the decision and reaffirmed it would make an appeal to the Local Government Commission.
"They've just made life more complicated for us.
"At the end of the day it is what it is and we have got to deal with it, and we will."
He said as the council had a partnership with Te Arawa he would have expected it to work with Te Tatau and give them time to consider the new model.
"They did none of that."
He understood the council would argue the decision was about equity in voting rights, but said as Māori had a statistically low voter turnout the thing that mattered was guaranteed seats at the table.
Response
The reporter was provided with the update about Council’s decision on our website here. The update included comments from Mayor Chadwick.