{"id":248,"date":"2025-04-04T17:15:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T04:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daveforcouncil.nz\/?p=248"},"modified":"2025-04-04T17:15:00","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T04:15:00","slug":"the-future-of-maori-wards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/exposures.co.nz\/?p=248","title":{"rendered":"The future of M\u0101ori wards"},"content":{"rendered":"

Source<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"

Korero<\/p><\/div>\n

Author – Jack Karetai-Barrett<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

M\u0101ori wards in New Zealand have been a big topic in local government, especially when it comes to fair representation and Te Tiriti obligations.<\/p>\n

These wards give M\u0101ori a dedicated voice in decision-making, similar to M\u0101ori electorates in Parliament. But their introduction has been controversial, with laws changing back and forth over the years. There is so much disinformation, sometimes deliberately spread by people who don\u2019t agree with them, and I see that misunderstanding in letters to the newspaper.<\/p>\n

In 2001, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council was the first to set up M\u0101ori constituencies. For the years after this, councils needed to hold local referendums, gaining majority support, before creating M\u0101ori wards, and these votes usually ended in rejection since the M\u0101ori voter turnout was low. I recently found out that councils can establish any wards they like, without a referendum, and it is only M\u0101ori wards where a referendum needs to take place. \u00a0This does not seem democratic to me.<\/p>\n

What makes M\u0101ori wards so important is that M\u0101ori voter turnout tends to be lower than the general population and therefore any M\u0101ori candidates standing in the general seats can\u2019t get enough votes.<\/p>\n

This isn’t because M\u0101ori don\u2019t care about politics, but rather due to a deep-seated mistrust in the systems that have been used against M\u0101ori for so long. Many feel that voting doesn\u2019t lead to real change, as decisions are often made without truly considering M\u0101ori perspectives.<\/p>\n

The failure of past governments to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi contribute to this frustration. Instead of engaging through voting, some choose other forms of activism, such as protest or direct involvement in their communities.<\/p>\n

Over the years the activism has attracted the attention of many non-M\u0101ori who have taken the time to understand the issues and have support M\u0101ori in gaining the right to representation. I remember Ruth Gerzon, N\u00e1ndor T\u00e1nczos, and Danae Lee from the last time we went through this. Recently I had a big conversation with Dave Stewart and I know he understands the issue. We need more people to understand why M\u0101ori wards matter.<\/p>\n

In 2021, the Labour Government finally scrapped the referendum rule, making it easier for councils to introduce M\u0101ori wards. This led to a big increase in the number of wards, with more than half of regional councils and nearly half of territorial authorities adopting M\u0101ori Wards by the 2022 local elections.<\/p>\n

Then, sa\"\"dly, in 2024, the National, New Zealand First, and Act coalition Government reversed that decision, bringing back the referendum requirement – but only for M\u0101ori wards. Councils that introduced M\u0101ori wards without a vote now have to either hold a binding poll in 2025 or get rid of the wards altogether.<\/p>\n

Today, in 2025, the debate is still heated. Supporters say M\u0101ori wards are essential for fair representation and upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Opponents, including groups such as Hobson\u2019s Pledge, say they create division. But it is the absence of M\u0101ori wards that create division. Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has criticised the government\u2019s decision, calling it an overreach that takes power away from councils.<\/p>\n

Because of M\u0101ori wards, M\u0101ori representation in local government is the highest it’s ever been. But voter engagement is still a concern, with some saying the issue isn\u2019t disengagement, but rather frustration with the system itself.<\/p>\n

The M\u0101ori economy, particularly in regions like ours, plays a crucial role in local development. With significant assets in forestry, fisheries, agriculture, and tourism, M\u0101ori businesses contribute billions to the economy. In areas strengthening M\u0101ori representation in governance isn\u2019t just about politics\u2014it directly affects economic decision-making, resource management, and regional prosperity; it creates a future for my generation. Councils with M\u0101ori voices at the table are better equipped to support M\u0101ori-led economic initiatives that benefit entire communities.<\/p>\n

With the 2025 local elections coming up, the future of M\u0101ori wards is up in the air. The results of the referendums will decide whether these wards stay or go, shaping what local representation looks like going forward. When I look into our council, I want to see myself reflected in the people who represent me. Without M\u0101ori wards, that won\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n

With all of this in mind, my perspective on representation, local decision-making, and the role of M\u0101ori voices in governance becomes clear. My experiences and observations show how these issues go beyond politics and affect people in real ways.<\/p>\n

When I was 10 years old, Toni Boynton, M\u0101wera Karetai (my mum), and I travelled to Wellington, to the steps of our Parliament, bringing a kete filled with signatures from people who wanted the law to change.<\/p>\n

The kete hangs on a wall in our home as a daily reminder. We weren\u2019t alone on that day. T\u0101mati Coffey, Nanaia Mahuta, and a crowd of passionate supporters stood with us. The weight of that moment still stays with me\u2014the collective hope, and the determination that M\u0101ori have a right to a seat at the governance table.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t just about policy; it was about being heard, about taking up space in a system that had too often left M\u0101ori voices out. Standing there with my mum, I understood that change doesn\u2019t come easily, but when people come together with purpose, it becomes possible. It’s this experience that has led me to become a writer and to join our Whakat\u0101ne District Youth Council<\/p>\n

I encourage people who might have voted against M\u0101ori wards in the past to think about why they did and to fact check the information they based their decision on. One of the worst mistruths is that M\u0101ori got more than one vote under M\u0101ori wards. That is not true. If you are on the M\u0101ori roll, you only get to vote for the councillors standing in the M\u0101ori ward seats, and people on the general roll get to vote for the general ward candidates. Everyone got to vote for the mayor and community board members. The only people who get more than one vote are people who own more than one property – they get a vote for every council ward they own properties in. Something to think about.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Source<\/p>\n

Korero<\/p>\n

Author – Jack Karetai-Barrett<\/p>\n

M\u0101ori wards in New Zealand have been a big topic in local government, especially when it comes to fair representation and Te Tiriti obligations.<\/p>\n

These wards give M\u0101ori a dedicated voice in decision-making, similar to M\u0101ori electorates in Parliament. But their introduction has been controversial, with laws . . . → Read More: The future of M\u0101ori wards<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7410,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"The future of M\u0101ori wards","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[120,122],"tags":[],"series":[124],"class_list":["post-248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-election-25","category-news-clippings","series-dave-for-council","odd"],"episode_featured_image":false,"episode_player_image":"https:\/\/exposures.co.nz\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/exposures.co.nz\/?feed=podcast&podcast_series=dave-for-council","embedCode":"

The future of M\u0101ori wards<\/a><\/blockquote>