6.1 Houkura (Independent Māori Statutory Board)

Houkura (Independent Māori Statutory Board) was established under the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009. 

Houkura helps Auckland Council make informed decisions by [1]: 

Houkura board members are selected by a selection body of mana whenua representatives in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009. When representing Houkura, members must act solely in the interest of the board’s purpose, not in any other interest [2]. The board members are separate from and independent of mana whenua represented on the selection panel. 

Who are mana whenua and mataawaka?

Mana whenua are Māori with ancestral ties and customary authority in specific areas of Tāmaki Makaurau. 

Mataawaka are Māori living in the Auckland region whose ancestral connections lie outside Tāmaki Makaurau. 

Recognised mana whenua groups

Auckland Council recognises the following 19 mana whenua groups in Tāmaki Makaurau: 

Houkura structure and responsibilities

Houkura is a body corporate, independent of Auckland Council [3]. It rebranded as Houkura in 2024 after previously being known as the Independent Māori Statutory Board (IMSB) [4]. 

Houkura must [5]: 

Houkura and Auckland Council must meet at least four times each financial year to review performance [6]. 

Funding

Auckland Council is required to fund the following aspects of Houkura: 

The funding is agreed annually [7]. 

Appointments to council committees

Houkura must appoint up to two members to each council committee that deals with the management of natural and physical resources [8]. The appointees have voting rights on these committees. The council may invite Houkura to appoint members to other committees [9]. 

Houkura must consider the council’s views on candidates’ skills and experience [10]. Appointments are at the discretion of Houkura and can be changed at any time. 

Key Houkura programmes

Schedule of Issues of Significance (IoS)

This schedule sets out the key issues for Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau. It forms the foundation of the board’s work and informs how council responds to key issues for Māori through council strategies and plans [11]. 

The Māori Plan

In 2012, Houkura developed The Māori Plan — a 30-year strategic document that focuses on Māori wellbeing across four areas: 

It is based on Māori values and derived from the aspirations of Māori in Auckland. 

Treaty of Waitangi audit 

Every three years, Houkura conducts He Waka Kōtuia - a Te Tiriti o Waitangi Audit of the council’s performance in accordance with statutory references to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and statutory responsibilities to Māori [12]. In response, the council creates a Te Tiriti Audit Response Programme, approved by a council committee. 

The Māori Outcomes Steering Committee (MOSCo) supports the design, development and implementation of the triennial Treaty audit and approves recommendations for closure. MOSCo is an internal governance group and its members comprise senior Auckland Council staff and the general manager of Houkura. 

For the latest version and further information on the audit programme, visit Te Tiriti o Waitangi Audit. 

Houkura membership selection

Houkura has nine members comprising: 

Members serve a three-year term [14]. 

Appointment process

Mana whenua use their own methods to nominate representatives. Mataawaka representatives are recommended to the selection panel of mana whenua. 

Appointments are confirmed by certificate and provided to the Minister for Māori Development and Auckland Council. 

Houkura meetings

Houkura must meet at least six times a year and may hold more meetings as needed [17]. 

Secretariat support

Houkura is supported by a secretariat that: 

Co-governance and co-management 

Houkura does not have any role in co-governance or co-management arrangements with Auckland Council. Houkura members may sit on co-governance bodies in their capacity as mana whenua representatives, but this is separate from their responsibilities within Houkura. 

Footnotes

[1] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, s 81. 

[2] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, s 82(4). 

[3] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, s 82(1). 

[4] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, s 83. 

[5] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, s 84(2). 

[6] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, s 84(1). 

[7] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, s 20. 

[8] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, s 85(1). 

[9] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, s 85(2). 

[10] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, s 85(3). 

[11] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, s 81(b). 

[12] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, s 84(1)(b). 

[13] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, Schedule 2, cl 1. 

[14] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, Schedule 2, cl 9(1). 

[15] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, Schedule 2, cls 2 and 4. 

[16] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, s 2(6). 

 [17] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, Schedule 2, cl 13.