October 11, 2022
Māori ward backlash in right vote
Former ACT MP Donna Awatere Huata believes the rightward shift in the local body elections was a reaction to the Māori wards.
She says pakeha voters chose pakeha candidates and Maori who were to the right such as Tania Tapsell in Rotorua Lakes.
In contrast, Maori went for tino rangatiratanga candidates in the Maori wards.
“You look at the Gisborne lot – it takes your breath away, phenomenal. Over here we’ve got Lani Kereopa in Rotorua, we’ve got Hilda Halkyard up north and Penetaui Klescovic,
outstanding candidates., there’s little hope people like Wanda Tibble of Hilda or Lani would get in if they had to stand in a general seat but we know who are going to fight for us and we voted for them so good on Labour for making those changes,” Ms Awatere Huata says.
She says the low turnout shows the need for online voting.