I have always supported the idea. Back in 2001 when this issue was being debated as part of discussions on the Bill, the Maori Committee of HBRC were invited to debate the issue and make recomendations. Much to my surprise that committee rejected the idea. I believe this related to the opportunities that committee had(and has) to influence HBRC apoliciies and activities through the inclusion on every committee of two members of that committee with full speaking and voting rights. There was also concern among mmembers on the committee that \"Maori\" seats were different form \"Tangata Whenua\" seats. I am happy to listen to the committee\'s recomendations if(when) the issue arises again in the future. The current council\'s recomendation to the new Council is thatit set up a joint PLanning committee with equal members from the Treaty Groups and councillors(as proposed under legislation soon to be introduced into Parliament)