It was disappointing to hear today that a GDC committee voted only non-Maori Councillors on to the Working Group for the Waste Water Project. Such a move demonstrates very little commitment from the majority of Councillors to meaningful Tangata Whenua involvement in decision-making and community leadership.

Real progress and agreement on the issue made this year was the result of true partnership and effective negotiation – rather than the bullying and exclusion which led to protracted litigation against GDC over the past 15 years.