September 29, 2014
Maori ward not on Whanganui agenda
Whanganui Mayor Annette Main says the council is unlikely to create a Maori ward.
New Plymouth District council has voted for a Maori ward, and its mayor Andrew Judd is challenging other councils to follow.
But Ms Main says Wanganui District Council has discussed the idea previously but the iwi preference was to continue with existing joint committees.
The council has formal agreements with two Atihaunui-A-Paparangi subgroups, Te Runanga O Tupoho and Te Runanga O TamaUpoko.
TamaUpoko Link and the Tupoho Working Party each have three councillor representatives and four or five iwi representatives and meet every six weeks, with minutes going to the council's strategy and policy committee.
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