Houkura (Independent Māori Statutory Board)

Houkura (formerly the Independent Māori Statutory Board) has specific responsibilities and powers under Part 7 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 to promote issues of significance to Māori to Auckland Council.

The board is independent from Auckland Council.

Role of Houkura

The board’s role is to assist Auckland Council to make decisions, perform functions, and exercise powers by:

• promoting cultural, economic, environmental, and social issues of significance for mana whenua groups and mataawaka of Tāmaki Makaurau.
• ensuring that Auckland Council acts in accordance with the Treaty of Waitangi.

What the board does

The board: 

• works to advance the interests of Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau
• ensures Auckland Council acts in accordance with statutory provisions relating to Te Tiriti o Waitangi 
• has two members sit, with voting rights, on each of the council’s committees that deal with the management and stewardship of natural and physical resources.

What the board does not do

The board does not:

• replace direct engagement with Māori
• carry out the work of Auckland Council.

Leadership of the board

The board is led by Chairman David Taipari and Chief Executive Officer Leesah Murray.

More information

Visit the IMSB website.