'It's a start' - first steps made to establishing Māori Wards in Matamata-Piako

Wednesday, 3 March 2021

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta makes an announcement at the New Plymouth District Council regarding Māori wards. (First published Feb 1, 2021)

Matamata-Piako looks set to press ahead with Māori wards for the 2022 election but an iwi forum representative says there’s plenty of work to do both before then and by whoever might eventually fill the spot.

On Tuesday, Te Manawhenua Forum mo Matamata-Piako asked the district council to forge ahead with the plan for a Māori seat on the full council.

The forum’s chairwoman, Te Ao Marama Maaka from Ngāti Hāua, said it was a clear mandate from the iwi.

“There is still a lot of work to be done, it’s a start, it’s a beginning,” she said.

Matamata-Piako mayor Ash Tanner and deputy Neil Goodger had sought direction from iwi after Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta proposed in February changes to the Local Electoral Act removing the obstacles posed by the outcome of binding polls in 2018.

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Te Ao Marama Maaka was pleased with the recent developments, but said it will come with its own challenges.

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The law change means polls with 5 or more per cent of electors can no longer force a council’s decision to introduce Māori wards to be put to a referendum.

The new legislation would allow councils to resolve to establish wards by May 21.

Maaka wanted the successful candidate for an eventual council seat to be local and didn’t want people from outside the district running for the position.

“It’s important it remains local, we don’t want someone from the South Island running for the position.

“Iwi will need to work together and the representative will have a big responsibility to ensure all iwi have their voices heard.”

District Mayor Ash Tanner said the latest development was made following consulting with local iwi.

Councillors haven’t yet voted for the establishment of Māori wards, instead, Tuesday’s forum was to get a steer from iwi members on the Forum, which is a standing committe of council, Tanner said.

“Because we have the Te Manawhenua Forum, we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to seek guidance from them,” Tanner said.

“We got a clear direction to proceed with it.”

Tanner said based on the number of councillors within the district and population calculations, one Māori ward councillor could be provided for the district in the upcoming elections.

“I’m happy to work with anyone who sits at the table. Working as a team collaboratively, keeping our community’s best interests at heart,” he said.

Since the law change in 2001, just three of New Zealand’s 78 local authorities have Māori wards: Wairoa District Council, and Bay of Plenty and Waikato Regional Councils.

Authorities voting in favour of Māori wards for 2022 include Kaipara, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Ruapehu, and Taupō District Councils, Tauranga City Council and Northland Regional Council.

The principal advantage for establishing a Māori ward provides a direct Māori voice on council. It’s intended to strengthen democratic participation by giving voice to a group who, historically and currently, are under-represented and have a low level of participation in local government.

The establishment of a Māori ward would trigger a representation review process in 2021, and could have implications for the overall number of councillors.

The council’s initial proposal must be publicly notified by September 8, and it must consult on its review proposal with the community.