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July 31, 2024
Councils slapped with costly bill for Māori seats
Adam Gifford
Posted On July 31, 2024
The National-led Government last night pushed through the bill forcing councils to hold referendums if they want to establish a Māori ward or constituency.
Labour’s local government spokesperson, Kieran McAnulty, says if the Government was truly levelling the playing field it would propose referendums for all types of wards, but it’s only focused on Māori wards and deliberately chosen to make the country a more divisive place.
The Government has taken away the ability of councils to make their own decisions and left ratepayers footing massive bills for water infrastructure.
Mr McAnulty says the majority of submissions to the select committee were in support of keeping the wards as they are, but Mr Brown has turned a deaf ear to push his own political agenda.
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says there is no more local a form of government than individuals being able to decide on local issues at the ballot box – and the bill restores local democracy and decision making.
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