Dale-Maree Morgan, Waipa Maori ward representative
Māori ward councillor Dale-Maree Morgan will deliver a monthly report to Cambridge Community Board after responding to push back from fellow councillor Pip Kempthorne.
Pip Kempthorne
Kempthorne asked: “I know you’re questioning us on a monthly briefing, but could you achieve that on a quarterly basis?”
Morgan replied: “How much does the community board engage with Māori communities, to reflect the interest of all communities being reflected at this table?”
“Taken,” was Kempthorne’s response.
Morgan said Ngāruawāhia Community Board, of which she is an elected member, received a monthly Māori ward report and she had discussed doing the same at Cambridge Community Board with Maungatautari ward councillor Mike Montgomerie and board chair Charlotte FitzPatrick.
Charlotte FitzPatrick
“We have the Māori ward come and present a report every month and I thought it could be something that we could introduce here, considering I bring a strong voice from these communities, and I don’t often see the communities I bring a voice for around this table or in this space,” she said.
Morgan recognised significant people lost over the summer including Cambridge teacher Whaea Sophie Tipene, Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust co-founder Robyn Waitangi Nightingale, and chief Karaitiana Mac Tamatea.
In her report Morgan said she wished to get to know board members as the year progresses and understand the communities Māori had synergies with.
She also encouraged the board to visit marae.
Mike Montgomerie
“Most Māori community members are unaware of the community board or the members who represent them,” Morgan said.
“How will the Cambridge Community Board engage with Māori communities? Does the board have an events calendar that includes Māori kaupapa led events?
“How can we work together on inter-relationships and wider hapū, iwi, and marae community relationships as the board and Māori ward role.”
FitzPatrick invited Morgan to send her report to her.
“We’d love to have a regular update, and make sure we have regular opportunities to engage with you in the community,” she said.
Earlier in the year Morgan, whose Waipā District Council Māori ward seat will be abolished at the next election, said she doubted she will stand in a general ward because it would go against her principles.
Dale-Maree Morgan at today’s Waipa District Council meeting. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
