Invercargill Mayor Delays Mana Whenua Charter Decision

Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark has postponed a decision regarding a memorandum of understanding with mana whenua, the iwi (tribe) representing local Māori interests. This decision comes after Clark chose to delay the acceptance of a revised charter that has been instrumental in guiding the relationship between the four Southland councils and the four Murihiku Papatipu Rūnaka since its inception in 1997.

At a council meeting this week, Clark expressed his belief that the incoming council should have the opportunity to deliberate on the charter. He stated, “I think it would be timely for us to leave that to the next council to deliberate on, which would mean that we push it out by a couple of months given that it’s already five years overdue.” The review of the memorandum is intended to occur every five years, but it has only been updated twice prior to this point—in 2003 and again in 2015/16.

Support and Concerns from Council Members

Clark’s decision enjoyed the backing of Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell, who remarked on his own lack of awareness regarding the document, saying he had “managed to go through the last three years blithely ignorant of the document’s existence.” Campbell highlighted the importance of allowing new council members to engage in a proper discussion about the charter.

However, this delay sparked concern among mana whenua representatives. Evelyn Cook expressed disappointment, noting that Campbell’s unfamiliarity with the charter was troubling, and warned that postponing the decision could jeopardize the progress made in the relationship between the council and mana whenua. She emphasized that the delay might signal a regression rather than a commitment to fostering a good relationship.

Another mana whenua representative, Pania Coote, echoed Cook’s sentiment, asserting that the document represents a significant amount of collaboration among external stakeholders. Councillor Lesley Soper praised the charter as a “sterling” document that underwent extensive consultation, while Ria Bond insisted that the council must make a decision promptly. Councillor Ian Pottinger criticized the delay, calling it a “very soft option” and underscoring the council’s responsibility to govern effectively.

Legal Considerations and Future Steps

Before arriving at his decision, Clark consulted with Michael Morris, the council’s manager of governance and legal matters. Morris indicated that whether to make binding decisions prior to elections depends on the significance of the item in question; however, he noted that a memorandum of understanding is unlikely to meet the threshold for significance.

The decision to delay was supported by councillors Grant Dermody, Trish Boyle, and Barry Stewart. Meanwhile, the updated charter was adopted by Environment Southland just last week, indicating ongoing efforts to strengthen governance frameworks in the region. The charter also involves three councils outside of Southland: the Queenstown Lakes District Council, Clutha District Council, and Otago Regional Council.

As the council prepares for the transition to new members, the future of the charter and its implications for the relationship with mana whenua remain at the forefront of local governance discussions. The delay underscores the importance of ensuring that all council members are informed and engaged with the agreements that shape their community’s governance and cultural relationships.