Māori Input into Local Board Decision Making

Strategy

The group was of course not satisfied with the overall performance as depicted in the population level indicator data. Having gained through this process already, a better understanding of the two levels of accountability applied within the RBA framework, they realised a multi stakeholder approach would be required if they were to have any hope of significantly turning the curves on each of these population level indicators. Without the funding available as necessary for engaging at a multi Inter-sectoral level, the group opted instead to focus their joint efforts on a smaller client population.

They accepted that their joint efforts would be more about making a contribution only, toward the achievement of the overall desired population level outcome they were otherwise collectively seeking. Rather than accepting accountability for delivery of a population level outcome they couldn’t achieve on their own, they acknowledged that by genuinely Improving Maori Input into Local Board Decision Making, even if for a smaller, targeted client population, this approach could still have significant influence on the level and achievement of successful outcomes overall. This was not to say that the group might not at another time in the future decide to work together, in order to bring about a grand coalition of influential and interested stakeholders, to tackle the wider social issues plaguing their respective communities.

Simply put


• "Maori know better than anyone else what is good or not good for their well being, and the barriers that obstruct their success and achievement. Their input into any think tanks, policy development or initiatives that impact on them, is not only essential but makes plain sense".
• "What is good for Māori should be good for the whole population". Focusing on equality and making improvements among Māori will bring improvement for the overall population as there are many disparities present at the moment not only with Maori but with other sectors of society too".

Our Strategy is to "Improve Māori input into Local Board decision making".

Why Is This Important?

Notwithstanding the obligations placed on Local Boards, derived from both the Local Government Act and the Treaty of Waitangi for improving Maori Input into Local Government Decision making, the working group recognised there was a real need for them to understand the value of engaging, whether compelled or otherwise, and for what real purpose in the end. And so with a Results Based Accountability (RBA) approach, the group as individual entities explored first the purpose of their existence, and what importance this held for each of them.

Through this process they found they shared a common purpose that was simply about ensuring a physical, economic and cultural environment exists. One sufficient to allow all people in Otara-Papatoetoe, Mangere-Otahuhu and Manurewa the same opportunity of being healthy, well, thriving and fulfilled spiritually, mentally, culturally and physically’.

It became clear if not acknowledged already, that whether required by the Act or Tikanga Maori, both Local Boards and Mana Whenua enjoy a shared role of responsibility. And from the very nature of their existence, each possesses a genuine desire and motivation to see their common purpose, realised.

And so by the third hui, applying the RBA approach; the group agreed a common population level outcome meaningful to them both.

In order to ensure a clear understanding of the population outcome sought after by the group, the membership provided a list of what this looks like for them if happening today. The list is provided further below.

Continuing with the RBA approach, together the group translated these conditions into seven population level indicators. They followed this up with an exercise to determine just how well the population group was actually doing on these. Without actual data at hand, they applied a group think[1] approach drawing on their professional, personal and lived experience to do this. The population indicators listed below, and presented within the next section in graphic form, contain a base line with a short narrative of the story behind each. In some cases the group think data may be replaced with that from other sources.

[1] Group think is the term used throughout this scorecard to describe that the data, views, information provided is the working groups professional, personal or lived experience, and may or may not align or agree with data captured or recorded from other sources.

Individual Stakeholder Interests

What Would This Outcome Look Like if We Could See It Now?

• Safe homes – reduced FVIARS cases, crime statistics
• Warm houses
• More home ownership
• Reduced rates of obesity and diabetes
• Educational aspirations – children getting employed, parents getting training and education
• Getting back to a safe, happy community base
• Educated
• Happy home
• Reduction in crime
• Strong connection to Maori culture, and te reo
• Increased Maori in higher positions in government and confident
• People enabled, uplifted and sharing their abilities
• People employed

Our Dilemma Statement

“As leaders within our respective rohe how will we enshrine Maori aspirations that drive Local Board decisions, whilst maintaining trust and respect for each other?"

Mana Whenua and Local Board Representatives Working Group

Who We Serve

The Otara Papatoetoe, Mangere Otahuhu, and Manurewa Local Boards, and Mana Whenua representatives (The Roopu) agreed at a hui held Tuesday 28 January 2016 that for the purpose of improving Maori Input into Local Board decision making they would focus their collaborative efforts on members registered with each of the Mana Whenua Iwi within the rohe of the three Local Board areas represented.

A further distinction of the terms 'members registered' and 'Mana Whenua Iwi' was agreed at a hui held Monday 02 May 2016. In the context of "who we serve" -

"Members registered" means - the members of local Mana Whenua who currently reside in one of the local Board areas and are recognised and listed as Mana Whenua, with and by a Mana Whenua Iwi group.

"Mana Whenua Iwi" means - The Mana Whenua Iwi groups who possess a footprint i.e. Marae, Urupa, Business entity, resident in one of the local Board areas.

Originally Agreed Client Population:

“All Mana Whenua Iwi members registered with each of the Mana Whenua Iwi situated within the rohe of the three Local Board areas represented - Otara-Papatoetoe, Mangere-Otahuhu, Manurewa (and Papakura)“

Since the group's original agreement of their client population, it was noted that there are Mana Whenua iwi and Mana Whenua entities also who reside outside the three Local Board areas rightly possessing a level of interest in the rohe. It was raised however that the views and decision making authority of Mana Whenua groups and their memberships who are both resident, and demonstrate an active foot print should not be unfairly displaced by larger or more resourceful (non-resident) Mana Whenua individuals or entities. This led to a call about sharpening the definition to protect both local Mana Whenua entities and their registered members who are resident within the three local board areas concerned.

For the purposes of the discussion Mana Whenua were categorised in the following ways:

• Roopu 1 - by residency – their home base is in one of the local board areas
• Roopu 2 - by interest - those that have interest in the LB areas but no residency
• Roopu 3 - by constituency - those with no interest or residency but have constituency within the LB areas

Residency was described as demonstrating a footprint where:

• Mana Whenua Entity have in the area
  • Marae, urupa
  • Home base
  • Business operating
  • Schools, Wananga
• Mana Whenua member (registered to Mana Whenua Entity)
  • Reside in one of the three Local Board areas

The rights of all registered members of each of the Roopu groups listed are acknowledged, but with greater consideration and focus applied to the registered members of Mana Whenua who are residents of the area. The purpose of this distinction is that it is this group most likely to be directly affected by any decisions made about them and the rohe within which they currently reside.

Thus changing the client group to:

Our Client Population is:

“All resident Mana Whenua members who are registered with a Mana Whenua entity also resident, and demonstrating a footprint within the rohe of the three Local Board areas represented - Otara-Papatoetoe, Mangere-Otahuhu, Manurewa”

Strategy

Simply put

• Maori know better than anyone else what is good or not good for their well being, and the barriers that obstruct their success and achievement. Their input into any think tanks, policy development or initiatives that impact on them, is not only essential but makes plain sense.

• "What is good for Māori should be good for the whole population". Focusing on equality and making improvements among Māori will bring improvement for the overall population as there are many disparities present at the moment not only with Maori but with other sectors of society too.

Our Strategy is to -

Improve Māori input into Local Board decision making focusing initially on the Mana Whenua and Local Boards relationships, and then later and together engaging with Mataawaka in order to achieve an improvement for all Māori.

What Would This Outcome Look Like if We Could See It Now?

What does Māori input in Local Board decision-making look like?

• More Māori voting
• More Māori on boards
• More volunteers - more Māori engaged and helping
• More enrolled Māori voters
• More Māori standing for the Local Board
• Better information from Māori into Local Board impact statements
• Meeting with Mana Whenua more regularly face to face
• Relationship agreements
• Māori attending Local Board workshops

Action Plan