The Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s commitment to improving Māori participation in decision making has been demonstrated by their hosting of the innovative Te Tōanga Mai o Te Rā conference says Te Puni Kōkiri regional director, Rachel Jones.

“I applaud the Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s bid to enhance Māori capability,” says Ms Jones.

“The conference gave renewed hope for iwi and Māori throughout Te Moana ā Toi Te Huatahi for meaningful, productive and sustainable relationships with their regional council.”

Te Puni Kōkiri Te Moana ā Toi is a conference sponsor Ms Jones says it improved awareness and understanding about various issues relevant to iwi-Māori, helping them to participate more effectively in council processes.”

Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor Raewyn Bennett said the conference provided tangata whenua with access to information already available to Regional Councillors.

"Given the importance of tangata whenua involvement in the affairs of the Bay of Plenty, economically, socially and politically, Council has taken the opportunity of further building of positive relationships, which is the most productive way forward for the Bay."

The one-day conference at TECT Arena in Tauranga included a keynote address by Justice Joe Williams on “Māori into the Future” as well as addresses by Jacinta Ruru, Senior Law Lecturer from Otago University on “Water, Matauranga Māori and Māori Rights” and Linda Te Aho, Associate Dean Māori at Waikato University on “The Post Treaty Era”.

Other topics included “Constitutional Reform/Local Government and Māori” as well as “Engaging with Councils and central agencies to obtain decent outcomes”.

ENDS

For more information contact: Te Puni Kōkiri: Paula Collins 021 518518 or 04 8196000