Tauranga City Council's Draft Public Arts Policy is already starting to rankle some locals in the first week of its public consultation.

Moana FM announcer Pat Spellman is 'extremely disappointed” by the draft policy and is asking council: why it did not seek direct consultation with local iwi or the Tangata Whenua Collective?

Moana FM announcer and local commentator Pat Spellman is disappointed the Tauranga City Council did not seek Maori input on the Draft Public Arts Policy. Photo: Supplied

The draft policy, which was put out for consultation on Monday, aims to encourage public art which enhances the environment plus contributes to the character and identity of Tauranga.

'It seems to me there is a blatant disregard for any real partnership with council in terms of Te Ao Maori (The Maori World),” says Pat.

'I'm not sure why there is this disregard and it's a question that could be applied to a many things this city council has done in the past and continues to do.

Pat wishes council would come to the table, take a leading stance and 'acknowledge the fact that in 2015 it's probably a great idea to have some cultural component to all policies they put forward”.

'Especially policies that have such a major significant part to play in the future branding of our city, I believe it is very important there is some sort of Maori fabric as part of that branding,” he says.

But the Tauranga City Council is dismissing Pat's assertions saying many of the issues he has raised about the city's cultural identity and brand are beyond the scope of the Draft Public Arts Policy.

TCC policy analyst and corporate planner Melony Atkins says the draft policy is not a branding document.

'It's mostly concerned with creating a clear process for anyone who wants to contribute high quality public art to the city,” says Melony.

'A key aim is that artists will know the criteria that is being used to accept artwork, and who is assessing it.”

Melony explains the draft policy ensures public art is of a high standard and a good environmental fit.

It gives consideration to the environment, history and purpose of the public space it is proposed to be created in.

This proposed criteria includes artistic excellence, innovation, impact and quality, how pieces fit within the environment, each works' durability and maintenance costs, plus accessibility and safety.

Melony says a Public Art Advisory Group is proposed, which will include a tangata whenua representative.

'We are seeking public feedback on the draft so that everyone has an opportunity to tell us if there are areas where they think we don't have it quite right.”

But Pat is 50/50 when it comes to public submissions adequately representing the view, thoughts and wishes of Tauranga Moana Maori.

'I think that's the camouflage which they'll use to protect themselves and also they'll use that as their reasoning behind not having a direct component to the arts policy.”

Pat believes having a Maori component to the draft policy would generate a limitless number of opportunities for Tauranga.

Not only would it bring a point of difference to Tauranga, it could open the city up to numerous tourism opportunities that 'seem to be lacking at the moment”.

He highlights tourists arriving by cruise ship, who once upon land hop on a bus and head straight to Rotorua.

But what really annoys Pat is council using commemorations like pou at Te Ranga and Pukehinahina (Gate Pa) as examples of Maori art used in the city.

'Those are not examples of Maori art, they are examples of progression and commemoration and not to be used in the same sentence as works like the CBD's mosaic prints or an Owen Dippie mural.

'I'm not trying to belittle what's already out there, all I'm saying is that it is quite disrespectful to me as a Maori and Tauranga Moana native people too.”

Pat feels that because Te Ao Maori is 'forever and something that can continue to give” it would be a wonderful component to the arts policy.

Public Consultation on the draft will close on Friday, February 27, at 4pm.

Both Melony and the Tauranga City Council want Tauranga locals to have a read of the policy and let them know what they think.

To view the Tauranga City Council's Draft Public Arts Policy visit: www.tauranga.govt.nz