Concerns about the constitutional implications of the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Bill were overwhelmed by a tsunami of Labour hubris and ballyhoo in Parliament yesterday. The weight of numbers against upholding liberal democratic values in the governance of our local authorities resulted in the Bill being supported by 77 votes (Labour 65; Green Party 10; Māori Party 2) to 43 (National 33; ACT 10).
And so – because a highly contentious interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi has been deemed to over-ride the notion that all citizens should have equal rights – one group of people in Canterbury will be spared the need to campaign for electoral support and can simply appoint representatives to two permanent seats on the Canterbury Regional Council.
As National’s Paul Goldsmith explained during the debate, the legislation allows for 14 councillors in Canterbury to be elected by everyone in the community, including Māori. …
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Utopia, you are standing in it! 
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