May 02, 2022
Rotorua ready for new vote system
Māori, Waateanews, nzpol, Local body, Trevor Maxwell, Rotorua Lakes Council, Peter Tapsell, new representation system
Adam Gifford
The country’s longest serving local body member is disappointed at the delay in creating a new representation system for Rotorua.
A Bill creating a mix of Māori and general wards and at-large seats is held up because of concern it could breach the Bill of Rights Act.
Trevor Maxwell says it’s about trying to create the partnership promised when Te Arawa iwi agreed in 1880 to lease land for the creation of the township.
He told fellow councillor and Radio Waatea talkback host Merepeka Raukawa-Tait it’s hard to advocate for Maori from minority positions, as he’s experienced in the 45 years since then-deputy mayor Peter Tapsell put him on the ballot.
“He said ‘sign here.’ There was about an hour to go. What’s this for? ‘To go on the council.’ I knew stuff all about councils. I lived at Awahou, Middle Earth, we only know about hide the dog, here’s the dog ranger, or they’re grading the roads. He said ‘you’ve got a popular radio programme on Sunday morning, everybody’s listening,'” Mr Maxwell says.
He says there have been submissions opposing the Bill from all over the country, but it’s something for Rotorua to decide what suits it best.