December 04, 2023
Māori seats proved in practise
A Māori regional councillor says more than half of New Zealand’s councils now have Māori wards or will have them in the next election – and their benefits are being felt.
The new coalition Government intends to introduce legislation restoring the ability to force referendums if councils opt to create Māori seats.
Taranaki regional councillor Bonita Bigham says that means going back to the situation where only Māori wards are subject to that racist barrier.
She says while many councils are still learning about them, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council has had Māori wards for 20 years.
“Anyone who I talk to who is in local government in that rohe talk about the benefit of having those voices at the table, the benefit of having a wider understanding of the issues surrounding the whenua and the moana and the air above it,” Ms Bigham says.
The whole community benefits from having effective Māori voices, and there is increased engagement with iwi and Māori voters.