April 22, 2015
Maori ward vote tyranny of majority
Former race relations commissioner Joris De Bres is warning that a referendum on Maori wards in New Plymouth could become a tyranny of majority.
Voting packs go out tomorrow, with the poll closing on May 15.
The referendum was forced by a petition organised by a former Grey Power president, who claims allowing Maori to vote for their own representative on council is an attack on democracy.
At a public meeting in the city last night, Mr De Bres praised the New Plymouth District Council for offering a space at the table, and said it should be up to Maori to decide if they would like to take it up.
He says by not having Maori wards, councils are denying indigenous people their rights.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council chair Doug Leeder told the meeting Maori seats were a good way to maintain the relationships with mana whenua required by the Resource Management Act and Local Government Act, and his council had benefited by having three Maori wards.
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