Clash over mana whenua seat in Hastings

A Hastings district councillor’s attempt to remove a mana whenua representative from a new water services council organization failed on Thursday, following strong opposition from fellow councillors.

Water Services Council Appointment Sparks Debate

Councillor Steve Gibson requested an amendment to remove Mike Paku’s appointment as a mana whenua representative to the Water Services Council-controlled Organisation (WSCCO). The motion was defeated by a vote of 13-2, with only Gibson and Councillor Simon Nixon voting in favor.

The vote took place during a council meeting focused on implementing new Local Water Done Well regulations from the Government.

Several councillors – Hana Montaperto-Hendry, Yvonne Lorkin, Kellie Jessup, Siiam Daniel, Nick Ratcliffe, Heather Te Au-Skipworth and Henare O’Keefe – voiced their support for Paku’s appointment and called for unity.

“There were people in this room who at the election were very popular but couldn’t lead their way out of a conga line,” Lorkin stated during the meeting.

Gibson argued that the 2023 general election demonstrated a rejection of the co-governance model associated with the previous Three Waters policy, and that Hastings voters also rejected Māori ward seats in 2025.

Montaperto-Hendry countered that there was “nothing to be scared of in appointing a mana whenua representative.”

Lorkin added that opposing appointments like Paku’s disregarded the value of experience and lived expertise, particularly in complex areas like water management and urban design. She also noted that the most qualified individuals aren’t always politicians.

The council subsequently voted to approve the appointments of Mayor Wendy Schollum, Deputy Mayor Michael Fowler, and Mike Paku to the board.

Council documents cited Paku’s knowledge of the region’s three waters service areas, his work with mana whenua and the Waiaroha Policy, his involvement with the Joint Tangata Whenua Wastewater committee, and his previous role as chair of the Heretaunga Takoto Noa Māori standing committee as reasons for his recommendation. He also has experience as former chair of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga.

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council and Napier City Council are yet to appoint their representatives to the WSCCO, which was jointly agreed upon by the three councils in July 2025.