Subscribe to RSSMaori Say In Auck Transport Decisions
A study by an Auckland University Research fellow thinks Maori should be specifically represented “at multiple levels in both the development of regional transport strategies and local implementation of those strategies.”
“What emerged out of the study was that there is a real need for Maori participation in decision making about transport – especially in Auckland. Maori need to write submissions, and have more of an urban voice about transport and how it affects them” says researcher Kimiora Raerino concluding that transport can be a barrier to or an enabler of Maori health.
“When public transport is unreliable Maori don’t go to the places where they can access services. Planning authorities must take account of the communities they serve, because if public transport was better Maori would use it more.”
Kimiora Raerino interviewed “19 Maori stakeholders who have a major interest in transport, from January to April this year as part of her research.”
The group included kaumatua, kuia, students, Maori healthcare providers and Maori representatives from organisations like the Auckland Regional Council, the Manukau City Council and Te Puni Kokiri.
The study notes that car use is high amongst Maori. “That means that we are better able to access the Maori world. We can go to places where we can learn te reo Maori ; things that are about Maori wellbeing.
“Whanau are also responsible for transporting our old people. They are the transmitters of our knowledge and culture. We really need to look at the transport needs of our old people.”
The study claims that illegal driving is “an important issue for tane due to education barriers to licensing, leading to a vicious cycle of illegal driving and barriers to employment. Strategies and programmes are needed to assist tane to attain their full driver’s license and thereby access employment.”
3 Comments
This report says what all of us have been saying - poor public transport is a barrier to the easy movement of people around the city.
I’ve never specifically noticed a Maori group making a submission on transport, or being part of a transport-related campaign, either for or against something. I’m sure they have in some instances, but it seems very rare - unless a transport facility comes too close to one of their traditional areas.
Generally transport is to do with people in general rather than any one group of them (unless you are talking about all the people who live in some place). However, the calls for greater Maori participation in transport issues can only be a good thing, since it means that more people are made concerned about the “big picture”.
That said, if one were to draw a newspaper cartoon about it, the easy way would be to make a churlish comment along the lines of “probably a good thing, since if the Maori are involved, it can’t be blocked”. Point being, mentioning ethnicity where its not usually expected (which occurs too often in NZ) will be viewed as a fifth wheel by the ordinary man.
Bottom line: It’s not bad, but its not the most useful thing either (in my opinion, of course…)