AT business plan questioned

An Auckland Transport (AT) board member has raised concerns over a plan by AT to give preferential treatment to Māori businesses.

At a board meeting last month, a draft Statement of Intent was presented, which sets a procurement spend of two per cent with Māori-owned businesses over the next three financial years.

Board member Abbie Reynolds commended the move to increase procurement to Māori businesses.

“Māori are not receiving the same transport outcomes as others – we need to show some leadership on what Māori transport outcomes look like,” Reynolds said.

However, liaison councillor Mike Lee said the move went “a little bit far in a multicultural city”. He said AT was right to respect tangata whenua, but the “market has rules and everyone should be equal players”.

Staff said this was a policy direction set by Auckland Council for AT, but Lee questioned when that had been decided.

“I do not recall councillors or the mayor discussing that,” Lee said.

AT’s final Statement of Intent must be submitted by the end of this month.