New Plymouth Council tries again for Māori wards

Former mayor Andrew Judd is celebrating New Plymouth District Council’s decision to establish Māori ward seats for the next local government election.

The council voted yesterday to move forward without community consultation.

The motion was passed 12-2, with mayor Neil Holdom abstaining.

The decision comes six years after the council led by Mr Judd made a similar move which was overturned by referendum.

He’s proud the current council has confirmed it is the right thing to do.

"So that's a strong message not only to us here in New Plymouth Ngāmotu but through to the crown – you've got to fix this. This should be in every rohe through the country. Māori representation at council level should be enshrined and is enshrined through Te Tiriti o Waitangi. So for the next council to do this after the angst and anger everything went through here, I'm lost for words, I'm blown away here, I'm so, so happy," Mr Judd says.

He expects some push back, but the community has moved on from where it was six years ago.

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