Maori Supercity subcommittee set up

The contentious issue of Maori seats on the new unified Auckland council will get a special hearing from a subcommittee set up to hear from Maori.

The subcommittee of the Auckland Governance Legislation select committee will hear submissions at three marae in Auckland next week.

It will be chaired by National MP Tau Henare. Other members include Simon Bridges, Hone Harawira and Shane Jones. Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei may also attend.

"This is the first time a special Maori subcommittee has ever been established in this way," Mr Henare said.

He said the subcommittee was "keen to hear" from people.

The Government dumped a Royal Commission's proposal to have three Maori seats on a 23-member council, two elected and one appointed by local iwi.

It decided instead to have just 20 councillors, none directly elected by Maori.

Prime Minister John Key said at the time of the Government's proposal it considered an advisory board was a better way of engaging with Maori.

- NZPA