30 Oct 2013

Auckland board in Jackson action

7:36 am on 30 October 2013

The Independent Maori Statutory Board in Auckland says it will do whatever the High Court rules, as a well-known Maori leader takes action over his failure to get on the board.

Manukau Urban Maori Authority chief executive Willie Jackson has filed court papers disputing the way his bid to become a member of the board was considered.

Mr Jackson is questioning the way the board appointed Tony Kake - one of its two mataawaka representatives who was previously on the panel.

The board is made up of nine mana whenua representatives - people who have tribal ties to Auckland - and two mataawaka officials - members who live in the city but don't have tribal ties there.

Mr Jackson was vying to become a mataawaka delegate, but was unsuccessful.

He claims the board's selection process was flawed partly because it did not consider documents from organisations that were supporting candidates.

Mr Jackson wants the court to declare the board's decision invalid.

The chair of the Independent Maori Statutory Board, David Taipari, says it would not be appropriate for him to comment at this stage.