At today's (4 September) extraordinary council meeting, South Taranaki District Councillors unanimously voted to retain the District’s Māori Wards and hold a poll at the 2025 local authority election.
The Council had previously agreed to introduce Māori wards in November 2020, but a recent law change, the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024, meant the Council was required to revisit its decision and either disestablish the Māori Wards or agree to hold a binding poll.
The new legislation was introduced following the previous Labour Government’s removal of the right to demand a poll for Māori wards if 5% of electors requested it.
South Taranaki Mayor Phil Nixon expressed frustration at the requirement to revisit a decision which already met the requirements of the old legislation.
“Our Council made the decision to introduce Māori wards in 2020, prior to the Labour Government removing the right to demand a poll. At the time a demand for a poll was received, but the demand did not meet the required 5% elector threshold and was not required.”
“While we acknowledge the Coalition Government’s desire to restore the right to binding referenda, we feel strongly that any council that made a decision on Māori wards and fully completed the legislative process prior to the Labour Government’s changes, should not have been made to go through this costly, time consuming and politically divisive process again.”
As part of its decision, Council also agreed to investigate whether there were any legal avenues for being able to not hold a poll.
Mayor Nixon says the introduction of Māori wards in South Taranaki has been a positive enhancement to decision-making and enabled the Council to be more effective as a board of
governors.
“As residents and ratepayers, Māori (who make up almost 20% of South Taranaki’s population) had been underrepresented and disengaged from the electoral and local democratic process for too long. Our move to Māori wards has encouraged more Māori to participate in the governance of our District and means the Council is more representative of our whole community.”
“Having diverse opinions at the Council table helps us make the best decisions for all our communities. We are stronger as we work together in partnership for the good of South Taranaki – which is ultimately what we are all here for.”
