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Resolution
number GBI/2022/88
MOVED by Chairperson I Fordham, seconded by
Member V Toki:
That the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board:
a)
provides the
following feedback to the proposed changes outlined in the Local Government
Electoral Legislation Bill:
i)
support providing
local authorities (councils) with a revised process for deciding their
representation arrangements that makes the consideration of specific
Māori representation a fundamental step in that process.
ii) restate its previous feedback on Māori
Wards and constituency process (28 September 2021 Resolution number GBI/2021/121):
A. the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board
identifies partnering with Māori is part of Auckland Council’s
responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its broader obligations to
Māori.
B. demographic representation is important within
the current context and Māori Wards are a step forward.
C. consideration needs to be made for local board
member representation with proportional subdivision style representation in
local board areas with significant threshold Māori residents.
D. the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board supports
bolder legislative changes and the establishment and resourcing of
co-governance arrangements within local government which enable the Treaty
principle of partnership and affirm Māori values and tikanga.
iii) advocate that methods be investigated to
better enable Māori representation at a local board level.
iv) support a change the current restriction on
the number of councillors on Auckland Council endorsing that the current
restriction on the number of councillors to 20 plus a mayor affects Auckland
Council’s ability to provide effective representation for all its
growing communities and to provide specific Māori representation without
diminishing the representation of other communities.
v) support simplifying the process for unitary
authorities to adjust local board boundaries noting the current process
required for local boards is aligned to a full reorganisation process, even
for minor amendments.
vi) endorse the proposed Schedule 3A update
wording to ensure that before submitting a unitary authority-led
reorganisation application, the unitary authority must consider any views and
preferences expressed by any local boards that would be affected by the
reorganisation plan.
vii) note the unique situation of Aotea / Great
Barrier as a remote island within the Auckland context and that individual
determination and governance by local residents would be a continuing
expectation.
viii) support the proposed update to the processes
for when an election result is tied so that a recount occurs rather than a
toss of a coin or draw of a straw.
ix) support enabling all candidates to submit
nominations electronically as well as via paper form.
CARRIED
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