April 19, 2024
Māori ward end could mean own goal for Kaipara
Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson is pushing to scrap his council’s Māori ward before next year’s local government election.
Under changes announced by Local Government Minister Simeon Brown this month , if that’s not done the council will have to hold a referendum at the election on whether the ward should continue for the 2018 election cycle.
Local Democracy reported that Mr Jepson says people should be elected on merit, rather than having special wards based on race, gender or any other aspect.
Te Moananui o Kaipara Māori Ward councillor Pera Paniora expects the mayor will succeed in his push, but Kaipara would eventually get Maori representation with new people at the helm.
If the Maori ward is dropped Kaipara will move back to its pre-2022 representation arrangement, which means the Mangawhai ward where Mr Jepson lives will also lose a councillor.