Te Maruata

For local government to deliver on the commitments made in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, it is essential that there is strong engagement with Māori communities across the country/motu, be they elected members, community participants or voters.    

The role of Te Maruata is to promote increased representation of Māori as elected members of local government, enhance Māori participation in local government processes, provide support for councils in building strong relationships with iwi, hapu and Māori groups, and provide Māori input on development of future policies or legislation relating to local government.

Te Maruata whānui is for all Māori elected and appointed members. Te Maruata Rōpū Whakahaere is a sub-committee of the National Council of LGNZ and is made of up Māori elected members who are metro, rural and provincial and regional sectors representatives, Māori wards and constituencies representatives, young, elected member representatives and members elected at large.

See who’s on the Rōpū Whakahaere.

• Metro Sector: Moko Tauariki, Hamilton City Council
• Regional Sector: Toi Kai Rākau Iti, Bay of Plenty Regional Council
• Young Elected Member: Bridget Bell, Manawatū District Council
• Māori Wards Tāne: Karam Fletcher, Taupō District Council
• Māori Wards Wāhine: Toni Boynton, Whakatāne District Council
• Members elected at large: Bonita Bigham (co-chair) Taranaki Regional Council, Iaean Cranwell (co-chair), Environment Canterbury,  Dinnie Moeahu, New Plymouth District Council.