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Auckland, December 10, 2022
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Tāmaki Makaurau iwi representatives gathered in Auckland on December 8, 2022, to whakawhanaungatanga (establish relationships) and explore new ways for the Council and mana whenua to work together.
Mayor Brown said that he considered it important to reach out to mana whenua early in his mayoralty, to establish the foundation for a productive relationship.
“The Hui was a significant occasion, being the first time in Auckland Council’s recent history that a Mayor has issued a collective invitation to mana whenua. We need a living relationship between council and iwi, a relationship between human beings who hold each other in esteem and deal Rangatira ki Rangatira,” he said.
Mr Brown said that the Council can do better than just ticking boxes.
“I want to work with mana whenua to make things better for the next generation of Aucklanders,” Mr Brown said.
The hui was attended by iwi representatives from Auckland’s northern, central, eastern, western, and southern districts, including Ngāti Manuhiri, Ngāti Whātua Orakei, Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Paoa, Te Kawerau ā Maki, Ngāti Tamaoho, Te Akitai Waiōhua, Te Ahiwaru Waiōhua, and Ngāti Te Ata Waiōhua.
Confidence to progress
Chair of the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, Terrence ‘Mook’ Hohneck said that it was good to accept an invitation from the Mayor.
“There was enough in what the Mayor said to give us confidence moving forward that iwi will be listened to and engaged with in a robust manner. There was rigour in his conversation, and he was animated in what he wants to do,” Hohneck said.
Mr Brown said that he desired to see commercial opportunities and hard outcomes for mana whenua. Whau Ward Councillor and Lead Councillor for the Māori Outcomes Portfolio, Kerrin Leoni (Ngāti Pāoa) will work with him to help bring the council closer to all Tāmaki Makaurau iwi.
“Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is home to the largest and youngest Māori population, and we have a real opportunity here to make a positive impact in the lives of Māori. This is a good opportunity for the Mayor to listen to the voices of mana whenua, and for them to know the door is open and they can bring their whakaaro to him,” Councillor Leoni said.
The Mayor invited mana whenua to meet regularly with him, individually and collectively, and to consider having a larger hui. He also plans to meet with mātāwaka (Maori living in Auckland but not belonging to the mana whenua group) in the New Year.
“I look to the leadership in this room to help shape how council and iwi can work together to address the challenges we face,” Mr Brown said.
