In opposition to government’s move to dump Maori wards from local body decision-making, Mayor Martin Connelly, more than 50 other mayors and local body chairs wrote to the government:
“Kia ora Prime Minister, Ministers, and party leaders.
“Local Government New Zealand and the Mayors and Chairs that have signed this letter are opposed to the changes the Coalition Government is proposing to Māori ward and constituency poll provisions.
“The Government’s decision to remove decision-making from councils by mandating that polls be run on Māori wards and constituencies is an overreach on local decision-making when current legislation already requires councils to seek community views.
“We are disappointed this is in contrast with the commitments the Government made during the election campaign to empower local government to make decisions about its own communities.
“Our position – a position that has been held by Local Government New Zealand since 2018 – is that Māori wards and constituencies should be treated like all other wards and that decisions should be made at the council level.
“Polls aren’t required on any other wards or constituencies, and requiring them will add increased costs to councils.
“The Government’s decision … undermines the important contributions that Māori are making to local government.
“We urge the Government to reconsider its position and leave it to local councils to make decisions about appropriate representation arrangements in partnership with iwi and their communities.
“Ngā mihi nui.”
South Wairarapa has mandated a Maori ward be established for the 2025 and 2028 elections.
