Salient Māori News Items for the Week to 11 August 2017 (edition 27/2017)

New Zealand Māori Council Chairpersonship Determined

1. The Wellington High Court has declared Sir Taihakurei (Edward) Durie the sole chair of the New Zealand Maori Council – potentially ending a dispute over the matter with Mr Maanu Paul.
2. By way of background, in 2012 Maanu Paul and Sir Taihakurei Durie were appointed co-chairs of the New Zealand Māori Council.  However, they disagreed on a range of matters, including whether Donna Hall – wife of Sir Taihakurei Durie – should provide legal counsel to the Council, or whether that is a conflict of interest.  Accordingly, after years of disquiet, in February 2016 some of the chairs of the District Māori Councils met, determined that the Council’s co-chair arrangement was dysfunctional, and voted that Maanu Paul become the sole chair, with Des Ratima to be the deputy chair, reporting directly to the districts (i.e. disbandment of the executive committee).  However, of the sixteen districts, only seven voted in favour of these changes (the majority of those in attendance), and other districts elected not to participate.
3. Following this Sir Taihakurei Durie sought a High Court ruling as to the validity of the decisions made.  In April 2016 Justice Mallon determined that the February meeting did not have a quorum and was invalid, but that a properly constituted hui to be held during the month would provide an opportunity to resolve matters. Accordingly, the Council held the meeting – with Sir Wira Gardiner acting as the independent facilitator – and this time Sir Taihakurei Durie was elected (sole) chair.  Owen Lloyd was elected deputy chair.  Other decisions made in February 2016 were also rescinded, including disbanding the executive committee, and conducting an independent audit.  The meeting also determined that Donna Hall’s legal firm, Woodward Law, would provide advice on the Council’s claim to the Waitangi Tribunal concerning Māori water rights.  In effect these decisions were a complete reversal of earlier decisions.  However, during the process seven districts abandoned the meeting in protest against the appointment of Sir Taihakurei Durie, which is perhaps why Maanu Paul considers that meeting was also unconstitutional. He therefore appears to have carried on as if he was still co-chair, which lead to Sir Taihakurei seeking the High Court declaration as made this week.
4. We are optimistic that this last ruling may settle the matter, but regardless, the end result is that the credibility of the New Zealand Māori Council, as some type of united voice to Government on matters of Māori interest, is in tatters.