THE VALUE OF STRUCTURE

[1]The final constitutional value gleaned from all the kōrero heard by Matike Mai o Aotearoa was the need for agreed structural values and conventions that will guarantee democratic ideals like transparency in any governing process and the removal of any conflicts of interest that representatives might have. 

As Māori do, the participants looked at examples of the many ways our tūpuna had tried to deal with these questions in the past.

For example some talked about how the Kīngitanga originally understood its vision of the Māori King and the English Crown being joined together with only God above. 

Others talked about how the Māori Parliament had attempted to resolve the tensions between the sovereignty asserted by the Crown and the mana retained by Iwi and Hapū; how it had defined its role and balanced out the issues of representation between Iwi and Hapū; why it had been unable to achieve its aims; and what lessons may be learned.  

There was lengthy discussion about the structural values in those past visions and their relevance now for the relationship between rangatiratanga and kāwanatanga.  There was also searching debate about the very meaning of democracy and government, and how to ensure it was transparent and open.

“In the final analysis government has to function and that relies on the same things. How do we hold the representatives accountable?  How do we stop the system or the people being corrupted by whatever power they have?  What checks and balances need to be in place?…Those things are like a universal tikanga if you like”.

 

The most commonly identified attributes of a structural value fell under four broad headings. 

Firstly, the need for constitutionally entrenched guarantees of equality, and provisions to enforce it. For example, mandating equal male-female representation in both the different and relational spheres.

The second identified attribute was that representation should be based on both individual and collective interests. Participants were keen to preserve their right to participate as individuals but also wanted guarantees that the collective voice of Iwi and Hapū would not be lost.

Thirdly there was unanimous support for the idea of equity and the need to protect all minorities in order to enable everyone to benefit from the Tiriti relationship.

The fourth attribute consisted of such things as transparency. On this topic there was also general agreement that Māori and Pākehā could set their own guidelines about how their representatives should be chosen. 

Interestingly there was a consensus that there should be no political Parties within the rangatiratanga sphere because of a concern that they might filter or override the voice of the people. Instead Māori should debate some other more tikanga-centred method of representation. 

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[1] Forty-third edited extract from pp. 93 – 94 of He Whakaaro Here Whakaumu Mō Aotearoa – The Report of Matike Mai o Aotearoa