Disestablishing Auckland’s Independent Māori Statutory Board

• Prevent Auckland Council from engaging with Māori
• Prevent the council recognising Māori interests
• Interrupt council operations — the bill provides for an orderly transition of functions, property and obligations

The Independent Māori Statutory Board was created with the amalgamation of Auckland’s councils in 2010. The document says it was originally established to provide advice, but that its statutory documents and appointments have since become embedded across council planning, funding, procurement and performance systems.

The case rests on elected accountability rather than on the board’s work: that Aucklanders were never asked whether to fund or empower it, that ratepayers pay millions a year including $3.5 million last year, and that they cannot elect or remove its members. The document sets this against rising rates, increasing debt and reductions in core services, calling the result a growing democratic deficit.

The bill provides for an orderly transition of the board’s functions, property and obligations back to Auckland Council, with the stated aim of continuity of council operations.

It states directly that removing the board does not prevent Auckland Council from engaging with Māori or recognising their interests — the stated intent being that such engagement happens through democratically accountable structures instead.