Postal voting packs for next month’s local body elections started going out today.
More than 140 candidates have put themselves forward for 60 Māori ward and constituency seats across 34 councils.
Bonita Bigham from Local Government New Zealand’s Te Maruata Māori collective says the introduction of Māori wards has empowered more Māori to stand, whereas in the past many Māori have felt local government wasn’t a place for them.
Ms Bigham was elected unopposed to a seat on Taranaki Regional Council.
Voting closes at midday on Saturday 8 October.
