Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Iwi have big role in super city, says Banks

Updated at 9:04 am on 4 October 2010

Auckland super city mayoral candidate John Banks has moved to appeal to Maori voters, after an off-the-cuff remark last week offended some in the Maori and Pacific community.

During a televised debate, Mr Banks said he didn't want South Auckland replicated across the rest of the city.

Mr Banks has told Waatea News the region's iwi will play an important part of the super city, particularly when their treaty settlements are resolved.

"That is why I am putting someone on the policy platform so that every day of the week I know what iwi are thinking, we are linked with fibre optic cable, linked into all of the constituent iwi across the region and we can make a difference," he said.

Mr Banks says the people of Auckland owe a huge debt to iwi, particularly Ngati Whatua.

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