Tremain Chris: Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill — In Committee 
Tremain Chris: Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:657;Page:6562] 
CHRIS TREMAIN (National—Napier) 
: 
 I want to bring a counter view to Moana Mackey’s diatribe from across the Chamber this evening. I will do that by bringing a provincial perspective to the debate; in particular it is the perspective of Henare O’Keefe who is a councillor on the Hastings District Council. I will talk about him in detail because his example brings quite a bit of perspective. This man won Maori representation through the traditional route of democracy. He stood up against every other candidate for the Hastings District Council won through and now has ongoing representation. 
I will put forward my particular view on this issue. I am pretty clear about my views on Maori representation not only in Auckland but elsewhere around the country. Firstly I agree that there is under-representation of Maori on local body councils but I do not believe that guaranteed seats are the way to achieve the outcome we are seeking. 
The same issue presented itself to women 30 or 40 years ago and women represent 50 percent of the electorate. When 50 percent of the electorate did not have representation on local body councils did we go out and make particular seats for women? No we did not. Society clearly had to change. Women clearly needed more representation on local body councils. Society changed and over time more and more women were elected to local body councils. Now we see the flavour of the country represented at a local body level. 
On that basis I am confident that if good Maori candidates stand with good support from their colleagues and friends they will be elected. I started with the case of Henare O’Keefe who stood and got the second-highest vote in Flaxmere. He told me—and this is a very important point—that he had limited campaign resources and his budget for his campaign was under $1000. We have heard throughout the Committee stage that the only way someone standing in a local body election can win through is to be extremely rich or extremely influential. That is not actually the case. A local body election can be won with a limited budget through getting out there. The great thing about Henare O’Keefe is that he has proved his worth through hard work having the hui that Ms Mackey talked about and representing his people thus making sure he will be re-elected. I guarantee that when he stands as part of the democratic process during the next election he will be successful and will come through. 
A poll held recently in Auckland was indicative in respect of the number of Aucklanders who wanted to see Maori seats. The result was high: 45 percent of Aucklanders if I am not incorrect wanted to see Maori seats in Auckland. I put it to members that if as many Aucklanders as that are keen to see Maori seats then I would suggest they would be more than happy to vote for good Maori candidates. They will stand up. A renaissance throughout this country is seeing much more focus on Maori culture and tikanga throughout our communities. I believe that if good Maori stand for these seats they will have a very good chance of being elected. 
I do not buy the idea that Maori cannot afford a decent campaign. That is rubbish. If Maori protesters are able to put together a good protest—and I say good on them for doing that—I believe that they can put their energy and passion behind a good campaign. That is my challenge to the other side of the Chamber. At the next local body elections members opposite should put their energy behind Maori candidates and make sure they have good finance and are best prepared to stand up— 
Hon Steve Chadwick 
: Oh the poor Maori! 
CHRIS TREMAIN 
: No it is called supporting one’s colleagues. It is called getting in behind them and giving them the best chance to get up there. People like Henare O’Keefe can win in a democratic process under the current system. We do need more Maori representation at the local body council level. But I believe that with good campaigns and strong support they can be as successful as anyone else who stands.