November 01, 2020
Councils step up for Maori ward challenge
Kaipara District Council has voted to establish a Māori ward.
The vote was seven in favour with two abstentions, contrasting with a similar motion in Far North District Council which was lost in a 5-5 split.
Mayor Jason Smith says the decision was about the democratic wellbeing of all the people in Kaipara District and how everyone can be best served.
The Statistics NZ estimates there are just over 3600 voters on the Māori electoral roll in the district and 20,000 on the general roll.
Dargaville ward representative Karen Joyce-Paki, the council’s first Māori councillor, says she has mana but she doesn’t have the mandate to speak for all Māori in Kaipara.
Te Uri o Hau and Te Roroa representatives asked councillors to consider the economic contribution Māori bring to the Kaipara economy, including social services, forestry, farming, and fishing.
If the resolution is unchallenged or survives a referendum that can be called if 5 per cent of voters petition for one, the council will review the representation of the entire district.
Ruapehu District Council also voted 10-2 to introduce Māori wards in time for the 2022 local body elections.
Mayor Don Cameron says the majority felt it would enhance engagement with Maori, uphold the principles of partnership and participation and bring Maori perspectives to council thinking.
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