The updated manatu whakaaetaka (relationship agreement) replacing a 2006 memorandum of understanding between Kati Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, Te Rūnanga ō Ōtākou and the Dunedin City Council was approved at a council meeting yesterday.
The agreement would ensure representation of the interests of mana whenua when making local government decisions, and would provide a direct line of communication between the parties involved.
Mayor Jules Radich and all the councillors except Cr Lee Vandervis voted in favour of the agreement which Mr Radich will sign on behalf of the local body authority at Ōtākou Marae on Friday.
Dunedin City Council chief executive Sandy Graham told the council the new agreement took into account the progress made over 16 years.
"What you have in front of you is an update on the 2006 document reframed to replete where the partnership between mana whenua and this council has progressed since the last document was signed," Ms Graham said.
Council Manahautū (general manager) Māori, Partnerships and Policy Jeanette Wikaira told the council the agreement was the start of a "new era of partnership" between the parties, but did not mean co-governance .
"It is not co-governance. It is a relationship agreement and an update on what was already there," she said.
The agreement also formally establishes the new te pae Māori, previously known as the Māori participation working party.
A review earlier this year determined the "working party" name was inappropriate.
Te pae Māori would comprise representatives of Kā Rūnaka, Araiteuru Marae, council rūnaka and all sitting councillors who will participate as full members.
The new group would have a minimum of four hui annually to focus on Māori goals and make sure they were reflected across council work programmes and activities, and implemented and developed efficiently.
Mr Radich and Kā Tūnaka leadership would jointly chair the group.
Cr Vandervis was the sole councillor to vote against the new agreement. He said the 2006 version did not need to be replaced.
Mr Radich disagreed with Cr Vandervis’ comments and said building a relationship with mana whenua was beneficial and supported the council’s commitment to the Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
