Hereora Dave: Local Electoral (Repeal of Race-Based Representation) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
Hereora Dave: Local Electoral (Repeal of Race-Based Representation) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:639;Page:9881] 
DAVE HEREORA (Labour) 
: 
 I take this call to confirm on the record that I oppose this bill the Local Electoral (Repeal of Race-Based Representation) Amendment Bill and I confirm that the entire Labour caucus also opposes this bill. I have three reasons surrounding that position but firstly can I say that the debate this evening has been about the acknowledgment of our history and our nationhood. It has been about identifying our tipuna our marae and the place of Maori within the history that has formed our nation. 
The first point I want to make is that this bill undermines the very essence of our national identity. The sponsor of the bill argues that there should be no racially based electoral representation in local government. It is my view that that is a modern-day contemporary attack against local democracy. We must ensure that within local government there is a level of representation that does reflect our communities. 
In looking at some of the history surrounding this bill I reiterate that Judge Peter Trapski conducted an inquiry into Maori representation on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the establishment of the Maori wards. Over a 9-year period leading up to the year 2000 the people of the Bay of Plenty the Bay of Plenty Regional Council its councillors all 33 iwi and the four tribal confederations including 133 hapu within the Bay of Plenty area met to discuss the problem surrounding the lack of Maori representation at local level. In terms of a large group or a mandate I do not think one could get a better mandate from those groupings to discuss that issue. They all concluded that it was necessary to support an Act—a bill at the time—to encourage Maori representation within local government. 
The Local Electoral Act 2001 enables councils to make a decision as to whether provisions for Maori representation are appropriate for their community. For instance the people of the Bay of Plenty chose to have Maori representation on their regional council in 2001. I think that was great. I think that provided the platform to ensure that at the very least there was a level of Maori representation at that level. We are so used to hearing that currently there is a level of Maori representation through various functions that are held by councils within their areas and that representation generally is by holding a powhiri at various functions—that is our kaumatua and kuia getting out and supporting the powhiri for those functions within those areas. It is time that we supported and encouraged the opportunity for Maori to move into the positions where decisions are made. I am talking about the positions on a council itself. So that is the first reason why I think it is important to oppose this bill. 
The second reason is that we have to think why this bill has been presented in the way it has been to abolish or repeal race-based representation. I think that that is the precursor leading to the policy of abolishing the Maori seats in general and I think that is unacceptable. 
The third reason I oppose this bill is that I think it is important that the sponsor of the bill and its supporters listen to today’s society. Today’s society is saying that it is acceptable to ensure that people and groups within communities are represented on local bodies and central government. So we must ensure that we support and encourage every way possible to ensure that that happens. Kia ora.