Double dipping in Canterbury

There is a bill going through Parliament that will change the law so Ngai Tahu directly appoints two members of the Canterbury Regional Council, or ECan.

This is different to having Maori Wards. Because at least with Maori Wards, it is still one person one vote.

But what this does is give members of Ngai Tahu two votes.

Every resident of Canterbury (of whom 11% are Maori) will get to vote in the elections for ECan. But if this bill passes, then Ngai Tahu will get to appoint two additional members directly. So members of Ngai Tahu get to be represented twice – both by the person they vote for, and by the direct appointees (who are appointed by their Iwi leadership whom they vote for)

This is a radical development in democracy. And if it passes, it will set a precedent.