Maori Committee

Māori Committee Meetings

The next meeting of the Māori Committee will be held on Monday 30 June 2008 in the Western Bay of Plenty District Council Chambers, Cameron Road Barkes Cnr, Tauranga, starting at 9.30 am.  Hapū and iwi representatives are invited to attend.  If you would like further information please contact Kataraina Belshaw, Māori Policy Manager, ph 0800 368 267 ext 9323

About the Māori Committee

The Māori Committee of council was established in 2006.  Its role is to consider governance issues relating to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and Council’s legislative obligations to Māori.  It also oversees Councils work to build the capacity of Māori to contribute to Council’s decision making process.

Membership consists of Council's three Māori constituent councillors: Cr Raewyn Bennett, Cr Tipene Marr; and Cnr Hawea Vercoe plus three general councillors: Cr Robin Ford (Chair), Cr Malcolm Whittaker and Cr Jane Nees.  This committee presently meets bi-monthly. 

Council is trialling a new arrangement for the Māori Committee whereby the committee takes its meetings out to various locations in the region.  This is to encourage participation and engagement with Māori.  Māori groups are invited to attend and participate in the meeting.

Five meeting are planned this year and will be spread around the region.  The first meeting was held in Opotiki on the 17 April 2008.