The Government is removing voting rights for non-elected representatives on councils following questions raised over iwi representatives on the Far North district council.
In April, Far North councillors voted to uphold the voting rights of iwi representatives on its Te Kuaka Māori Strategic Relationships Committee.
The Government has stepped in over the top to effectively remove the right of councils to do so.
“Councils and the public nationwide have raised concerns about individuals holding voting rights on council committees, undermining decision-making and diluting the influence of democratically elected members,” Local Government Minister Simon Watts said in a statement announcing the change.
“We’ve seen examples in the Far North, in Tauranga and in Hastings where individuals, such as iwi representatives and young people aged under 18, have been appointed to council committees and given voting rights without being elected by the community.”
