April 05, 2024
Fight brewing on Māori wards
A Māori local body veteran is warning Māori will fight Minister Simeon Brown’s decision to make all councils hold votes on new or existing Māori wards at the next election.
Mr Brown says he will reinstate the rule that allows small groups of voters to petition for a binding referendum if their councils decide voters on the Māori electoral roll can choose a representative.
Ngā Hau e Wha constituency councillor for Waikato Regional Council Tipa Mahuta says the national body for Māori in local government, has asked for advice on its options on what’s clearly a discriminatory move.
“If that stays on the table we need to push that every rural ward is re-put, because they have less mandate than Māori wards,” she says.