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Auckland Council/Supplied
A controversial proposal made by Auckland Council that would have seen the only role dedicated to Māori outcomes demoted has been revoked.
A controversial proposal made by Auckland Council that would have seen the only role dedicated to Māori outcomes demoted, has been revoked.
The proposal would have seen the Ngā Mātārae position, dedicated to Māori outcomes in Tāmaki Makaurau, moved into the lower-level governance directorate.
The nuts and bolts of the proposal included the disestablishment of Tumuaki Huanga Māori (director of Māori outcomes) and new reporting lines for the Ngā Mātārae team to a new general manager of Māori outcomes.
The change, according to the proposal, would reduce costs and position Auckland Council to better ‘deliver effective and efficient services,’ a spokesperson said in April.
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“As a result of feedback, Ngā Mātārae will remain as a stand-alone directorate with the Tumuaki Huanga Māori reporting to the Chief Executive,” Auckland Council Chief Executive Jim Stabback said.
“We received compelling feedback that recommended our obligations as partners under Te Tiriti o Waitangi are better served if we retain Ngā Mātārae as a directorate, within the organisational structure.”
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Stuff understands Māori Council staff support network Whānau Manawa, which represents 650 Māori staff across council, sent a submission criticising the proposal.
It said keeping the Tumuaki Huanga Māori role and Ngā Matarae on the executive was essential for the council to meet Te Tiriti obligations.
“More changes to the directorate would be detrimental to achieving the outcomes we have committed to,” Stabback said.
“It’s important that we do not diminish our priority for the work of Ngā Mātārae, the relationships carefully nurtured across Tāmaki Makaurau, within the council and with our CCO partners and the Independent Māori Statutory Board, and I am confident this decision is the correct one.”
Jason Dorday/Stuff
Auckland Council Chief Executive Jim Stabback said the decision was made following feedback within Council.
Despite this, council confirmed earlier in May that roles had been removed across council in order to save costs.
The decisions that have been made will result in a net reduction of 160 roles – this has come from the removal of vacancies, the merging of functions for greater efficiency and reducing duplication, Auckland council said in a statement.
Further changes will be aligned with the adoption of the Annual Budget 2023/2024 in June.
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