New Auck. Maori Council chairwoman

Press, 22 November 1989, Page 5

New Auck. Maori Council chairwoman

PA Auckland In 1984, Mrs Naida Povey, then a tolls operator, said she was reprimanded by the Post Office for greeting callers in Maori.

But she stood her ground with her cheery “kia ora”, winning widespread public support and forcing the PostmasterGeneral, Mr Rob Talbot, to back down.

Now Mrs Povey is the new Auckland District Maori Council chairwoman, taking over from Dr Ranginui Walker, who led the council for almost 20 years.

“It was the wish of the people I take over, and I stand humble before the people,” Mrs Povey said. “I have received many calls of support since the news came out. That is

really encouraging. It means it is a load I don’t have to carry on my own.”

Mrs Povey, aged 43, a mother of five, is a member of Ngati-whatua and Ngati-hine from the Puatahi Marae on Kaipara Harbour. She has been a member of the Auckland District Maori Council since 1970.

The council is being restructured to cope with changes to the way iwi authorities are dealt with by the Government. Mrs Povey said the council needed to take the initiative instead of fighting rearguard actions protecting Maori rights. “Maori people are seeking autonomy to deal with their own' destinies at all levels. That will mean a

redirection of attitudes throughout the country and a better understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi.

“That means starting with equity and equal representation in deci-sion-making in areas affecting Maori, like education, social welfare, employment, justice and health.”

A fluent speaker of Maori, Mrs Povey teaches the language at Henderson High School after taking an Ata Kura teacher training course.

She said the introduction of a marae and whanau (family) system at the school had turned the truancy rate there from one of the highest in Auckland to one of the lowest.