February 01, 2021
Ngāti Ruanui welcome removal of racist local government provisions for Māori wards
Ngāti Ruanui welcome removal of racist local government provisions for Māori wards
Media Statement
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui
1 February 2021
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui Trust welcomes the announcement from the Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta to change the Local Electoral Act removing polling over councils' Māori wards voting.
This amendment has been long overdue as the current provisions of the Local Electoral Act are basically racist driven clauses that only apply polling referendum to Māori wards and none other.
“For too long we have witnessed communities taking sides and communities being pulled apart over local Māori representation,” said Tumu W’akaae, Haimona Maruera.
“How the clause in legislation survived so long is shameful to say the least and reflects badly on previous governments. I now applaud the actions of Nanaia Mahuta and the Government to do the right thing and address this enshrined racist provision.
“Local councils are now turning the corner on Māori representation recognising the need to have a diverse and reflective governance team. We can see this in a growing number of Councils voting to include a Māori seat at the council table; a small but equitable step for local democracy.
“Māori have so much to offer being part of local councils especially in areas of environmental kaitiakitanga (guardianship). It’s also about recognising rights and working in partnership.
“The retrospective nature of the changes being proposed was especially welcomed as this means many of the current decisions by Councils to introduce a Māori seat at the table will go ahead for the 2022 elections. This cost of a poll and disruptive community effect will be avoided,” said Mr Maruera.
Deputy Tumu W’akaae Ngapari Nui said he hoped this would end the devise and misleading information that was being circulated by the group Hobson’s Pledge.
“This group have been actively campaigning for polls around the country for every proposed Māori Ward.
“I am shocked by the false inaccuracies and statements this racist group circulated to communities; knocking on people’s doors spreading lies around our neighbourhoods. Hobson’s Pledge is little more than some for the equivalent right wing “haters” conspiracy theories you see around the world today,” said Mr Nui.
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