Former Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says Māori partnerships with local councils can better support economic development and societal cohesion within communities.
The University of Waikato is hosting its annual 2025 NZ Economics Forum on Thursday and Friday this week.
Mahuta will be a panel speaker, analysing strategic policy issues impacting the local government sector and what changes might be needed to ensure the continued well-being of our communities.
She says with Māori wards being on the local government ballot this year—aside from Kaipara District and Upper Hutt City councils—keeping Māori wards allows for more well-rounded local government decision-making.
“Let’s look to ensure at a regional, local level, there is more collaboration and partnership with Maori to assure ourselves that we’re building the kind of society and the fabric of diversity underpinned by the treaty that will work for everybody,” says Mahuta.
The panel will be live-streamed on the University of Waikato website.
