Last month, the Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee (PACE) approved Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau – the council group’s performance measurement framework for Māori Outcomes.
Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau is the first framework that brings together Māori aspirations, the council group’s contribution towards achieving those aspirations, and performance measurement of the council’s mahi.
How the council group will use the framework to support Māori identity and wellbeing
The framework was developed in partnership with Māori. It aligns aspirations that Māori have identified as mattering most for them, with the council group’s 10 strategic priorities to advance Māori identity and wellbeing, as outlined in its Long Term Plan 2018-2028.
Tania Winslade, the council’s General Manager Māori Outcomes, says, “The framework provides practical steps for staff to deliver on Māori outcomes, by identifying focus areas where the council group can best influence and direct resources, and by providing measures to ensure consistent delivery.”
For example, Māori have identified that te reo Māori is fundamental to a thriving sense of identity. The objective for the council group is to support te reo Māori to be seen, heard, spoken and learned throughout Tāmaki Makaurau. One measure of this objective is the number of reo Māori or bilingual (English and Māori) signs in parks, facilities and Local Board offices.
Committee Approval
The recent PACE committee approval was a milestone achievement for the teams working on the framework.
Alf Filipaina, Chairperson of PACE, says, “Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau is a valuable step forward in supporting better outcomes for Māori. The framework clearly outlines the connection between what matters most to Māori, the council group’s role, and how we will measure our performance.
"With this landmark document, the council group has set out its strategy to contribute to Māori wellbeing in Tāmaki Makaurau.”
Cathy Casey, Deputy Chairperson of PACE, adds, “Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau can be translated to ‘To be well, Auckland’. So this framework is named for its overall aspiration of holistic wellbeing, which needs to be the ultimate outcome of the Māori-council relationship.
"The framework reflects a shift of focus from strengthening the organisation's capacity to engage with Māori entities, to delivering for Māori communities. This is a tangible means to overcome institutional racism and work towards true equality. I look forward to this framework and its strategy serving as a roadmap to maximise our contribution.”
The council group began the journey to develop the framework in 2015, in response to a Treaty of Waitangi Audit recommendation.
The framework has also been approved by the council’s Executive Leadership Team, meaning the framework has both governance and operational approval.
Next steps
Moving forward, Auckland Council will work with Local Boards and Council Controlled Organisations to incorporate the framework into their planning.
The council group will continue to refine the framework, ensure funding, and then implement it.
Councillor Angela Dalton, says “I'm looking forward to seeing the framework being implemented across the whole council family, through every department, and by every councillor, so that we can really uphold our responsibilities to Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau.”
Kei a tātou te mana hei whakarei i te ao mō āpōpo. Hīkina ō mātou whakaaro ki te ewanga o te rangi, ki te rerenga o ngā whetū. We have the opportunity to create a legacy worthy of tomorrow. Let us raise our ambitions to beyond heaven and let them fly among the stars.
