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Download AudioThe wahine behind a petition to create Maori wards has put her hand up to stand for the Whakatāne District Council.
Toni Boynton, who’s currently the deputy chair of the Taneātua Community Board, is contesting the Kapu Te Rangi Māori ward, which covers the Whakatāne Ohope area.
She started the petition after earlier efforts to create Māori wards in Whakatāne were torpedoed by a Hobson’s Pledge campaign.
She says there’s now a different way of campaigning.
“Before when you had a general election you had to appeal to the masses who vote, and the majority was always the general, the pākehā, and you have to hold back your Māoriness to get over the line, but this time it’s going to be a big shift. You will have 35 councils around the motu who will have Māori ward representation,” Ms Boynton says.
Candidates are now able to focus on what iwi, hapū and marae want from their councils, and she hopes the change will increase Māori turnout.
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