April 07, 2021
Mahuta welcomes Hamilton Maori seat rethink
Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says she was shocked at Hamilton City Council’s attempt to wriggle out of having Māori seats.
The council last week voted 8-4 against setting the process in motion by the May 21 deadline, but some councillors are now seeking to rescind that decision.
Ms Mahuta says it was the local government sector that asked for her to change the law so they could create Māori seats without risk of the decision being overturned by referendum, because they recognised the need for Māori to be at the decision-making table.
She introduced the amendment knowing at least 11 councils wanted to move on creating seats.
"It was a total shock to me that Hamilton City Council initially did not want to entertain this but over the last week and Easter weekend they certainly revisited their decision and I understand they are going to re-put that particular motion to have a conversation locally about the creation of Māori wards so I am pleased about that," she says.
Nanaia Mahuta says mechanisms such the Rotorua Lakes District Council’s partnership with Te Arawa and having māngai Māori on decision making committee are precursors to Māori wards.
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