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Download AudioGisborne deputy mayor Josh Wharehinga is welcoming the Local Government Commission’s support for a groundbreaking level of Māori representation on the district council.
The commission rejected a proposed rural ward because it said rural communities could have effective representation through an eight-seat district-wide general ward with a Single Transferrable Vote (STV) electoral system.
But it approved the proposed Tairāwhiti-wide Māori ward with five seats elected by voters on the Māori electoral roll.
“I’m just super-stoked the commission chose to uphold the five Māori seats for our Māori ward,” Mr Wharehinga says.
He says it’s significant that councillors will be expected to represent the whole district and not individual areas.
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