NCC Partnership at Risk: Why Mana Whenua Representation Matters

For nearly four decades, Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui a Orotū has stood alongside Napier City Council as a trusted and capable partner, supporting our city, our communities, and our taiao through both everyday initiatives and times of urgent need. From coordinating civil defence and welfare responses during Cyclone Gabrielle to supporting vulnerable whānau through homelessness initiatives and Ahuru Mowai, and leading proactive mahi with marae as part of resilience planning, our track record demonstrates the value and consistency of our partnership.

It is this history of shared responsibility and constructive engagement that makes the Council’s and Mayor McGrath’s recent indications that they may remove Ngā Mānukanuka o te Iwi from Standing Committees deeply concerning. Representation at the governance table is not symbolic. It is the mechanism through which mana whenua knowledge informs decisions from the earliest stages, ensuring that the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and obligations under the Local Government Act 2002 are upheld.

Removing mana whenua voices would have serious and lasting consequences. It would undermine decades of trust, weaken decision-making processes, and send a troubling signal to marae, hapū, and whānau that their perspectives may no longer be valued in shaping Napier’s future. The implications go beyond governance; they touch the very foundations of partnership, cultural recognition, and community resilience that we have worked tirelessly to build.

Te Taiwhenua has formally raised these concerns with Council and Mayor McGrath. Local iwi leadership, including Te Taiwhenua Chair Hori Reti, will meet with Mayor McGrath on Thursday morning, 11 December, to discuss these concerns directly. The strongest outcomes for Napier are achieved when mana whenua are actively involved, not sidelined. Partnership is more than consultation - it is shared responsibility, connection, and collaboration in action. We remain committed to working alongside Council and Mayor McGrath to care for our waters, lands, and communities, and to ensure that Napier continues to thrive for all its people.

The removal of Ngā Mānukanuka o te Iwi would not only reverse years of progress - it would signal a step away from the partnership and trust that has long defined the relationship between mana whenua and Council. Now, more than ever, we call on Mayor McGrath and Napier City Council to honour this partnership, retain mana whenua representation, and ensure decisions reflect the knowledge, rights, and aspirations of Māori as kaitiaki of this land.