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August 01, 2024
Bleak outlook for Māori in local government
Peter Verschaffelt
Posted On August 1, 2024
Download AudioThe co-chair of Local Government New Zealand’s Maruata Māori sub-committee says losing Māori wards would be a huge step backwards.
Parliament this week rammed through legislation from Local Government Minister Simeon Brown reopening the door for opponents to block the creation of Maori wards by demanding binding referendums.
All councils which have created wards have to put them to the vote at next year’s election, which means they could be gone by 2028.
Toni Boynton says almost 90 percent of the submissions to the select committee opposed the law change, and the Waitangi Tribunal found it was in breach of the treaty.
She says previous referendums whipped up racism.
“It’s a big step backwards and it’s not a great day, particularly hearing form Simeon (Brown) to say it was a great day for democracy. Particularly as minister for local government who has not showed up time and time again when it comes to local government,” Ms Boynton says.
There is strong support in local government for Maori wards with 54 out of 78 councils coming out in favour.
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