Wellington City Council has voted to include Mana Whenua representatives in almost all meetings - and pay them for it.
Just three out of 15 councillors voted against the move. One was absent.
Councillors Nicola Young and Diane Calvert, were among the three, citing issues with a lack of consultation.
"In principle, I don't have a problem with this, but I do have a problem with the process. We consult on everything and every single car park we are going to do anything to," Young said.
"I do believe if we are going to consult on everything but this then that is a problem," she said.
Malcolm Sparrow was against giving anyone not voted onto the council, including Mana Whenua, full voting rights.
Councillor Sean Rush flipped his position moments before the vote after hearing from Kaumātua.
"If it all goes wrong it's not something we can't put back together," he said.
John Coffey, the Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika chair, told Newshub he was ecstatic.
"We're really delighted that we have a majority decision and that's enough to carry the day,"
Two representatives from Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira will vote on all committees and subcommittees, except the CEO Performance Review Committee.
They will be paid a yearly fee of $111,225.
