March 04, 2021
Kaipara to consider Maori ward


Kaipara District Council has begun a review of local electoral boundaries, including considering a Māori ward.
A law change means that decision will no longer carrying the risk of being overturned though a referendum, at great cost to ratepayers.
The council says rapid growth justifies a review outside the usual six-year cycle.
Each elected member should represent about the same number of people, within plus or minus 10 percent, but the current Kaiwaka/Mangawhai and Dargaville wards are well outside the limits and the remaining West Coast/Central and Ōtamatea wards are very close to the limit.
The council will seek feedback from communities in April, with formal consultation planned for the end of August.
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