10/06/2026
MEDIA RELEASE – TE KĀHUI WHAKAREHUNGA
8 June 2026
Te Kāhui Whakarehunga, the iwi collective of Te Upoko o Te Ika, condemns the Government's proposed law change to remove voting rights from non-elected members serving on council committees, describing it as the latest in a growing pattern of attacks on Māori participation in public decision-making.
The proposal is being presented as a matter of democratic principle. In reality, it is a political decision that will reduce Māori influence and dismantle mechanisms that give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi within local government.
"This Government continues to demonstrate that its commitment to partnership extends only as far as political convenience. Once again, the Crown is acting unilaterally to remove Māori from decision-making tables, while expecting Māori to accept the consequences" says Mihirangi Hollings, Pou Whakahaere Rangitāne o Wairarapa Trust and current Rangitāne Iwi Representative on Masterton District Council.
Across Aotearoa, iwi representatives serving on council committees contribute expertise, local knowledge, and a long-term stewardship perspective that strengthens decision-making for all communities. These appointments are not symbolic. They exist because councils have recognised the value of meaningful Māori participation and the responsibilities that arise from Te Tiriti relationships.
The Government's proposal seeks to override those local arrangements and impose a one-size-fits-all approach that diminishes the ability of councils and iwi to work together.
"This is not about protecting democracy. It is about protecting power. The Government is choosing to elevate a narrow interpretation of representation while ignoring the constitutional relationship between Māori and the Crown." Kura Moeahu, Te Rūnanganui o Te Ati Awa.
Te Kāhui Whakarehunga rejects the notion that Māori participation in governance is a privilege that can be granted or withdrawn at the whim of the Government of the day. The right of Māori to participate in decisions affecting our lands, waters, resources, and communities derives from our status as tangata whenua and from the commitments made under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
At a time when trust between Māori and the Crown is already under strain, this proposal further undermines confidence that the Government is prepared to act in good faith.
The collective notes that this proposal follows a series of Government decisions that have weakened Māori rights, Māori participation, and Treaty-based approaches across multiple sectors. Taken together, these actions paint a disturbing picture of a Government intent on rolling back decades of progress in Crown-Māori relations.
“The proposed law change demonstrates this Government’s continued lack of commitment to its Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. The Crown cannot continue to describe itself as a Treaty partner while systematically dismantling the structures that enable Māori participation in public life. It is clear in local government legislation that we must be included. Partnership requires shared decision-making, mutual respect, and good faith. What we are seeing instead is exclusion, centralisation, and control." Ray Hall, CEO Te Pātaka o Rongokako.
Te Kāhui Whakarehunga calls on the Government to withdraw the proposal and engage directly with iwi, hapū, and local government leaders to strengthen democratic participation, not weaken it.
The collective will continue to advocate for governance arrangements that reflect the unique constitutional place of Māori in Aotearoa and uphold the promises and obligations contained within Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
ENDS
Media Contact:
Manawaroa Sproat
Te Kāhui Whakarehunga
027 4641705 - [email protected]
Te Kāhui Whakarehunga is a collective of iwi consisting of; Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne o Wairarapa, Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki, Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai, Muaupoko, Rangitāne o Manawatū
