Far North Mayor Moko Tepania Defends Māori Liaison Committee Amid National Controversy

Mayor Moko Tepania defends the Te Kuaka committee’s unelected iwi reps, stating the Far North is being "unfairly targeted" despite 57 councils having similar setups.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 15, 2026, 4:27 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The Membership Dispute: "Co-Governance on Steroids"?

The controversy erupted following a podcast interview between former TV journalist Duncan Garner and Far North Councillor Davina Smolders. During the segment, Garner claimed the committee’s makeup—proposed to include 10 appointed iwi and hapū members alongside six elected councillors—was "illegal" and "co-governance on steroids."

Mayor Tepania clarified the proposed structure of the Te Kuaka Māori Strategic Relationships Committee:

6 Elected Councillors

2 Members from the Northland Iwi Chairs Forum

8 Representatives (one from each hapū/iwi with a council Memorandum of Understanding)