Maori Community Development Act 1962 Submissions in before 12 Feb

E hoa ma,

I make no apologies at this late stage of high jacking your e-mail addresses to circulate this important message about making a submission to the review of the MCD Act 1962.  The Maori Council has been at the forefront of actions against the Crown for the last 47 years.

The Government is has indicated that the benefits for Maori can be achieved without an Act of Parliament.  We have all been beneficiaries of the Councils mahi.  We are calling on the Friends of the Council to make a submission to the Maori Select Committee which close on 12 Friday February 2010.

There is a PDF file attached that outlines the issues, the role of the Council and how to make a submission.  At this stage to the easiest and quickest way to make a submission is to follow the instructions on page 1 against the blue line of the PDF file.  This is sufficient to indicate to the Maori Affairs Select Committee that you wish make a submission.  You will not need to write the full submission until the day of the presentation.  Some briefing papers are attached.  Richard Orzecki and I are available to support your application.

If you have already received this e-mail `ka aroha ki a koe’ … You can either take heart because you are so important that we have sent it to you twice or you can be hoha with Richard and I for not talking about whom this message has been sent.   It is an important take so we seek you compassion.

Na Jim Nicholls

Inquiry into the operation of the Maori Community Development Act 1962 and related issues

Description

The Act covers the constitution of Maori Committees and Associations, and defines the powers and functions of the Maori Wardens and the New Zealand Maori Council. The inquiry will be a broad-based review of the Act involving public submissions and expert advice.

Inquiry into the operation of the Maori Community Development Act 1962 and related issues

Overview

It is nearly 50 years since the Maori Community Development Act 1962 was passed. The Act focuses primarily on Maori welfare issues. It provides for the establishment and functions of four layers of Maori Associations:

1. The New Zealand Maori Council at the national level,
2. District Maori Councils, Maori Executive Committees, and, sitting beneath all of these,
3. Maori Committees that operate at the community level. The Act also covers the appointment,
4. roles, and powers of Maori Wardens. Community Officers are also provided for under the Act, although none are currently appointed.

There is no doubt that the New Zealand Maori Council and the Maori Wardens in particular have made a substantial contribution to furthering the interests and aspirations of Maori.

Over the past 20 years the momentum in the settling of historical Treaty of Waitangi claims has increased significantly. Hapu and iwi-based organisations have re-emerged and been revitalised. These organisations administer significant resources on behalf of their communities and are pursuing Maori social, cultural, and economic development initiatives.

In recent years communities and Government agencies have supported a community-driven development approach for all population groups.

Communities themselves have decided their own needs and priorities and participated in a leading role in the design, implementation, and evaluation of community development initiatives.

The Maori Community Development Act 1962 was put in place at a time when the Government’s policy in relation to Maori was one of assimilation and integration, and the committee feels it is now timely that this Act be reviewed to reflect the changes that have taken place since that time.

Terms of reference

To inquire into:

1. The underlying intent and objectives behind the Maori Community Development Act 1962, and to determine what extent they are clear, relevant and consistent with contemporary needs and priorities
2. What “Maori community development” actually means and entails in 2009, whether it is happening now, and what legislative change (if any) is needed to support and enable successful community development today
3. How the functions and structural model of the New Zealand Maori Council and its subsidiary bodies can be improved to better meet the needs and priorities of Maori today
4. How the functions and governance of Maori Wardens can be improved to better meet the needs and interests of Maori today
5. Whether Community Officers are appropriate and relevant to the needs and interests of Maori today.