March 09, 2017
Greens seek end to Maori ward referenda
The Green Party has put a Member’s Bill into the ballot to make the establishment of both Maori and general wards on district and regional councils follows the same legal process.
Sponsor Marama Davidson says a referendum can now be demanded for Maori wards but not for general wards, which are decided by councils alone.
She says this unfair double standard works to limit Maori representation at local government level throughout the country.
The bill was inspired by the work of former New Plymouth Mayor Andrew Judd, who unsuccessfully tried to establish a Maori ward in his district.
The United Nations has noted that Aotearoa has ‘persistently low representation’ of Maori in local government positions.
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