A new portfolio system within the Otago Regional Council to replace some committees has been criticised as lacking mana whenua consultation.

Cr Michael Laws made no hesitation in telling the council yesterday that the governance structure involving mana whenua input into decision making needed to be “overhauled as quickly as possible.”

But Cr Alan Somerville criticised the new processes, saying that having one meeting with mana whenua the day before they were due to vote on the new portfolio structure, was “not meaningful engagement."

Councillors met with mana whenua at the Otakou marae on Tuesday and chair Hilary Calvert told the meeting she didn’t think the council needed to consult with them before they made a clearer structure around the table.

Former chair and Cr Gretchen Robertson also questioned the role of mana whenua within the proposed portfolio system, and refuted comments about iwi decision making on committees.

Michael said council rubber-stamped every committee resolution that included mana whenua input, and it was never doubled debated.

“Why is Kai Tahu regarded as an integral part of our decision making?” he said.

Hilary said her intention was that the council will continue to have respectful and meaningful dialogue - both formal and informal with mana whenua, to help the council understand the issues that were important to iwi.

When councillors asked chief executive Richard Saunders for his input, he said, “how you decide to give the effect to those commitments is up to you.”

New ORC chair Hilary Calvert has introduced a portfolio system to the regional council. FILE SHOT

The Long-term Plan 2021-2031 includes a service level measure to ‘build mana whenua participation in council decision making through a treaty-based partnership approach in our engagement.’ 

Under its statutory requirements, the regional council is obligated to engage, consult and discuss issues of significance with iwi.

The new portfolio structure provides for decision-making to sit solely with council, complemented by the establishment of portfolio areas and the appointment of portfolio leads. 

An Audit and Risk Committee and the Joint Transport Committee, Joint Committee Civil Defence, and Joint Committee Regional Deals will continue to exist.

Gretchen and Alan voted against the recommendation to form portfolios, but agreed with the majority of councillors to continue consulting with mana whenua in a ‘mutually agreeable way’ to incorporate representation into the new structure.

Final voting on the new governance structure and roles of the portfolio leads will be made at its next meeting at the end of November.