Coalition Forms to Preserve Māori Wards in Hawke’s Bay

A community coalition known as For Wards Hawke’s Bay has been established to advocate for the retention of Māori wards in local councils. The group argues that the removal of these wards would represent a significant regression in fair representation for Māori communities. This initiative coincides with the upcoming Māori wards referendums, which will occur alongside local body elections from September 9 to October 11.

The referendums were prompted by the recent passage of the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024. This legislation reinstates the requirement for councils to conduct referendums before establishing Māori wards, reversing a decision made by the previous Labour Government that eliminated this requirement. Currently, Hawke’s Bay councils are among 42 councils across New Zealand that will hold these referendums.

In a statement, Greater Wellington Regional Council indicated that it anticipates its Māori ward referendum will incur costs of approximately $350,000, excluding GST. This financial aspect highlights the significant resources involved in the process of determining local governance structures.

Neill Gordon, the coordinator for For Wards Hawke’s Bay, emphasized the historical context of Māori representation in the region. He pointed out that Māori have been markedly under-represented in local government, noting that Napier has had only three Māori councillors in the past 150 years, with Hastings similarly experiencing “just a handful” of Māori representatives.

The coalition’s formation underscores a growing concern among community members regarding equitable representation within local governance frameworks. By mobilizing support, For Wards Hawke’s Bay aims to ensure that Māori voices are adequately represented in decision-making processes that affect their communities.

As the referendum date approaches, the outcome will be pivotal not only for Māori representation in Hawke’s Bay but also for broader discussions about governance and equity in local councils across New Zealand. The coalition’s efforts highlight the ongoing dialogue about the importance of inclusive representation in democratic processes.