September 25, 2014
Maori ward a small step
New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd would like to see other councils step up on Maori representation.
The New Plymouth District Council this week narrowly voted to have a single Maori ward at the new local government election, voted on by electors on the Maori roll.
The mayor says he's proud and excited his council will be able to have a greater engagement with its treaty partner and get a Maori perspective at the top table.
Debate over the issue was heated, with one councillor quitting after the vote, but Mr Judd says the council has now spoken and it's time to get on with it.
"In fact I would even go further and challenge all councils in the country to follow this. It is only a beginning. It is only one seat. It's one of 15 seats for my council so it's not a majority but it's a start, because at the moment we have nothing. We need to start one step at a time and let's build from there," he says.
Mayor Judd says representation has been a long-standing concern of his Maori constituents.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH ANDREW JUDD CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjI1MTg=
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