October 20, 2020
Northland Maori seat choice vulnerable
Northland Regional Council has voted in favour of creating Māori wards.
Mike Kake from Ngāti Hau says it’s a great step – but it won’t happen if 5 per cent of electors sign a petition and force a binding referendum.
He‘d like to see Labour’s large Māori caucus supporting a law change removing that step – especially as other councils in the region are considering the step.
“We’re there but we’re not quite there. We don’t have anyone on regional council representing Māori but we do have supporters in there and we need to have Māori sitting in this space. There is support there but it only takes one or two to start a referendum and away we go,” Mr Kake says.
Long-serving councillor John Bain put in his resignation and walked from the meeting as the vote was being taken, saying it should be a decision of the community rather councillors.
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