May 21, 2021
Late scramble to create Maori wards
Rotorua Lakes Council has voted to create Māori wards.
Today’s decision was based on a recommendation from its partnership board, Te Tatau o Te Arawa, after consultation with the iwi.
Te Tatau says its partnership with the council must also be retained to reflect Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Stratford District Council has responded to a tide of criticism to last week’s decision to delay consideration of Māori wards.
At an emergency meeting today all councillors voted to create a Māori ward, meaning all of Taranaki’s four councils will have Māori seats after next year’s election.
Meanwhile, South Wairarapa is scrambling to justify its decision to put off a decision on Māori wards.
It says it hasn’t had the time it needs to undertake full and complete engagement with iwi and across the whole community.
Its first attempt to convey this message on its website said the mayor personally strongly supports the concept of Māori wards, and has in recent communication conveyed this to the Rangitani chair spelt t-a-n-i, and subsequently corrected.
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