Southern mayors will be asked to reaffirm their commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi during a meeting with iwi.
The joint Otago-Southland Mayoral Forum meets southern iwi in Invercargill for the groups’ annual Waitangi Day Te Rōpū Taiao kōrero today and tomorrow.
The proposal comes at a time of renewed scrutiny of the Treaty, as the government prepares to place its Treaty Principles Bill before Parliament this autumn.
Ministers have said the Bill will review how and when Treaty principles should be applied within the law.
Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan said the anticipated debate on those principles meant, as community leaders, remaining silent would be "inappropriate" at this time.
"The relationship [with iwi] that has grown over successive mayors and councillors is valued and respected, and the trust and friendships have been defining in gaining a wider appreciation and perspective.
"The present pathway and discussions around treaty principals will inevitably affect our relationship, and I feel it would be inappropriate to remain silent."
He said his decision to support the proposal had been unanimously endorsed by Clutha councillors, and he hoped his fellow mayors would follow suit.
Reaction to the proposal from other mayors yesterday suggested that was likely, although some said they believed the reaffirmation was unnecessary.
Invercargill Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell, standing in for Mayor Nobby Clark, said the 2002 Local Government Act already defined councils’ obligations to iwi.
He said he did not see any need to reaffirm what was already a legal commitment.
"I think it’s a pointless gesture, but I understand why it’s been tabled by someone, given it’s a burning issue nationally at present.
"But it’s not really the purpose of Wednesday’s meeting."
Southland District Mayor Rob Scott said local government and iwi had long enjoyed good working relationships, and agreed a reaffirmation could be "redundant".
"[Southern mayors and iwi] have had a charter of understanding for 25 years, which has been very successful.
"I believe actions speak louder than words, as evidenced by the excellent relationship we enjoy, and we don’t need to be told from Wellington how to go about our business down here.
"We’ve had a good past, we’ve got a good present, and hopefully we’ll have a good future together."
Otago Regional Council chairwoman Gretchen Robertson said the Treaty served only to strengthen local communities.
"Partnership means open communication, respect, understanding and increased wisdom.
"We are far stronger standing in partnership than alone", she said.
