Horowhenua District Council has passed a property strategy amendment that gives iwi and hapū the first right of refusal if the council wants to dispose of land or buildings deemed to be non-core and surplus to requirements.

Three councillors at Wednesday’s council meeting voted against: Sam Jennings, Mike Barker and Ross Brannigan.

The issue was first raised in July 2023 and has been included in the Actions Monitoring Reports at every council meeting, a council spokesperson said.

“The initial report was brought to an open council meeting in December 2023, it was left on the table with the direction to get more feedback from iwi/hapū. It was then brought back in December 2024 in an open meeting where it was left on the table again.

“Most recently, the kaupapa was discussed in an open council workshop where further direction was sought from councillors in March 2025. The briefing ended when councillors started debating and it was then said a report should be brought back as soon as possible for decision.”

Councillor Rogan Boyle, who attended the meeting via internet, said the vote was about honouring obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.

“This is just a small step towards justice,” he said. “Māori deserve far more than this. What is really racist is ignoring Māori and the history of confiscations and broken promises.”

Councillor Sam Jennings said the policy was based on ideology and identify politics. He argued for council’s prudent stewardship and the need to seek the best possible price to reduce debt.

“Only the bidding process reveals the true price,” he said.

He wants council to publish a list of surplus property for everyone to see and bid on.

“This is ideology, not evidence. Council does not have obligations to honour the treaty as Cr Boyle argues. He misunderstands that.”

Cr Jonathan Procter said the policy was a step towards providing transparency.

“It provides a clear mechanism for iwi.”

Cr Justin Tamihana said iwi just wanted to understand this process and what would be considered core and non-core.

He felt some of the comments made by others were hurtful.

”I am looking at families who lost their land eons ago,” he said. “For example their tupuna were fighting in the trenches of World War 1 and when they came home found they had lost their land, which was deemed to have been abandoned and thus confiscated. Their sense of loss is  still real.”

He said council reprioritises and reviews policies all the time.

“We should honour what hasn’t been honoured. Māori are looking for help and for opportunities.

“Do the right thing.”

Deputy Mayor David Allan urged all councillors to have their say.

“There is public interest in this. Do not abstain. You are being elected to have an opinion. Be accountable.”

He said there was no secrecy involved throughout this process.

“The process is robust and can be challenged. Debt reduction can still occur under this process.”

He said racism is about history, such as land confiscations.

“We can still engage and get a good price.”

Mayor Bernie Wanden said the policy was not about racism or money.

“This is about partnership and relationships with iwi.”

He reminded all councillors that at their installation as councillors they promised to uphold the Treaty of Waitangi, its principles, and the kaitiaki role of local iwi.

He said precedents for selling council land other than the open market had already been set, such as sales to Kāinga Ora and The Horowhenua Company.

Cr  Nina Hori Te Pa said: “This is good governance, though it was hard to get together, taking two years.”

Cr Clint Grimstone saw it as providing future opportunities for Māori to contribute to the local economy.