May 18, 2015
Law change needed for local seats
Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is considering a private members bill to stop people using binding referendums to block Maori representation in local government.
Mr Flavell says the situation in New Plymouth, where 83 percent voted against the council’s plans to introduce a Maori ward, showed how unfair the current system is.
An attempt to give Te Arawa more say in the Rotorua Lakes Council is also having a rough ride.
"We put it to the prime minister in the first instance and I think following this we'll be looking to either do a private members bill and continue to challenge that because in some senses it brings out the most ugly in New Zealand society. We heard it in Rotorua, all those things about the Maori's will get unleashed power, they'll take over the country , it's not fair it's not democracy blah blah blah" says Minster Flavell.
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