Latest news with #MāoriWards
RNZ News
19 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
‘Keep our Māori wards' campaign kicks off with security caution
Dinnie Moeahu says supporters of Maori wards need to know their stuff to counter deliberate misinformation. Photo: Te Korimako o Taranaki via LDR A bid to retain Māori representation at Taranaki council tables kicked off on the weekend with a call for whānau-level pushback against what campaigners say is deliberate disinformation. Speakers at Saturday's organising meeting also warned referendums on Māori wards across New Zealand would spark vitriol - and potentially worse. New Plymouth councillor Dinnie Moeahu called the hui, saying misinformation was causing misunderstanding and fear, while disinformation was dividing communities. He represents New Plymouth's five-councillor 'at-large' ward, having topped the poll with general roll voters in 2022. Likewise, he said, anyone could stand in a Māori ward to be elected by Māori roll voters. "Non-Māori can also stand in the Māori ward seat. Ōrite: it's the same." Moeahu said opponents were incorrectly labelling Māori council seats as 'race-based'. Māori wards were Treaty-based, he said: created to ensure effective representation and help meet Crown obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, as spelled out in the Local Government Act. Almost all Māori wards and constituencies face being extinguished via referendum at October's local elections, including those at Taranaki's four councils. The government changed the law a year ago, requiring binding polls on local Māori seats to fulfil National's coalition deals with ACT and New Zealand First. They said the change was to restore democracy to communities on a significant change to local democracy. Moeahu said anti-Māori groups were ready with a campaign labelling the wards race-based as soon as the government reintroduced referendums last July. "It was well-resourced, it was strategised superbly and executed with perfection - and less than 24 hours after the law received Royal Assent." Former New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd copped abuse when he backed Māori wards a decade ago - and he warns more is coming. Photo: Te Korimako o Taranaki via LDR Andrew Judd won New Plymouth's mayoralty in 2013, standing down at the next election after his unyielding support for a Māori ward drew persistent, often public abuse - including of his children. Judd said he predicted more of the same from opponents of guaranteed Māori representation. "My intel is that they are well geared-up, and they are going to be ... destructive," Judd said. "Because their hatred is real - and we cannot let hate win." Te Waka McLeod has agreed Moeahu will accompany her to meetings for fear of confrontation during election season. Photo: Te Korimako o Taranaki via LDR Moeahu said the escalating risk of physical threat prompted him and councillor Te Waka McLeod to agree he would accompany her to public meetings till the election ends. McLeod is the first councillor for NPDC's new Te Purutanga Mauri Pūmanawa ward. Despite attracting online and in-person abuse, McLeod said she had been supported by fellow councillors and staff, and the council was building stronger relationships with hapū. She said supporters from all communities must help family members better understand Māori wards with accurate information. "It's having those conversations with your nana, with your grandma, with your uncle at your whānau kitchen table," she said. "They may be sitting on the fence and they just need to hear a little bit of truth." The meeting drew people keen to join the fight to keep Māori wards. Photo: Te Korimako o Taranaki via LDR Other speakers included Labour MP Glen Bennett and NPDC councillors Amanda Clinton-Gohdes and Sam Bennett, who is running for mayor. Moeahu plans more meetings to galvanise helpers ahead of a public event when voting gets underway. Referendums must be held by 37 district and five regional councils. No other type of ward can be voted down. At the meeting, Margy-Jean Malcolm told LDR it was crucial to have clear information. "This is actually institutional racism, when we treat Māori wards differently from say a rural ward or any other ward. "We don't give the entire population a vote as to whether those wards should exist or not." Lance Mepham had seen candidates pushing misinformation. "I went to a few meetings here recently, and I was really surprised at the rhetoric and just some of the nasty things that were being said about the Māori ward." He said Māori brought good things to the table for everybody. "Economic and also cultural contributions - there's just so much that Māori can give and offer this community." EJ Barrett said the wards had already boosted Māori participation in local democracy by 22 percent. "My children are Māori so I have a vested interest to make sure there's always going to be a space for them in representative democracy - and so they can see themselves in democracy." "It's just the right thing to do, mate." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Community Coalition Backs Māori Wards
Press Release – For Wards Hawke's Bay Called For Wards Hawkes Bay, the multicultural group of people from across the political spectrum has come together because Mori wards are better for all, organisers say. A Hawke's Bay community coalition has been formed to back Māori wards at referendums in September. Called 'For Wards Hawke's Bay', the multicultural group of people from across the political spectrum has come together because Māori wards are better for all, organisers say. The group's public launch on Wednesday will be chaired by former Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham. 'I am really happy to support this endeavour to secure Maori wards for our region,' Graham says. 'Maori wards add to our democracy and fit into its essential principles of 'one person one vote' and accountability to the electorate.' Speakers at Wednesday's launch at the Clive Hall will include Hastings Presbyterian minister the Rev Jill McDonald, Hastings Takitimu Māori Ward councillor Heather Te Au-Skipworth, President of the Hawke's Bay Multicultural society Rizwaana Latiff, and Hayley Whittaker from the Public Service Association. All supporters of Māori wards are welcome to attend the meeting on Wednesday July 23 at the Clive Hall. Doors open at 5pm and the brief speeches are from 5.30 to 6pm. For Wards Hawke's Bay co-ordinator Neill Gordon says Hawke's Bay is coming together to support Māori Wards. 'For Wards Hawke's Bay is a community coalition of people from throughout the region – business and community leaders, old and young, tangata whenua and tangata tiriti, workers, faith leaders . . . who all recognise that Māori having a seat at the decision-making table means better decisions for all.' Hawke's Bay councils are among 42 nationwide holding a Māori wards referendum with the local body election postal vote that opens September 9 and closes October 11. Wairoa was the first council in New Zealand to introduce a Māori ward following a referendum in 2019. Voters there will take part in the Hawke's Bay Regional Council referendum. Historically, Mãori have been significantly under-represented in local government. In Napier there have been just three Māori councillors in 150 years and just a handful in Hastings. Candidates standing in Māori wards are elected by voters on the Māori roll, the same as for the Māori seats in Parliament. It's the same democratic principle as with rural council wards, which ensure people in remote areas have guaranteed representation and their voice isn't swamped by larger urban populations. There are no extra costs and councils with existing Māori wards say it saves money because better decisions are made for all, consultation happens properly and court cases are avoided. Gordon says that 'Democracy is many things – MMP, First Past the Post, a House of Lords . . . Democracy comes in many flavours. Fundamentally, democracy is about ensuring fair representation and that's exactly what Māori wards are designed to do.' 'No matter who we are or where we come from, most of us want a future where people and the environment are well cared for. 'But some people and groups are trying to divide us, and divert us from these concerns that matter to so many of us. At times, this division has meant our councils are not able to make the best decisions for our long term, ones that put care for people and our environment first. 'Māori wards have been a positive solution. By bringing in Māori culture, knowledge and ways of life, councils have become a better reflection of our communities and our shared concerns. Māori ward councillors have helped harness our collective strength by weaving our communities together so our councils can make better, long-term decisions that benefit all of us, and the places we love.'
Scoop
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Community Coalition Backs Māori Wards
A Hawke's Bay community coalition has been formed to back Māori wards at referendums in September. Called 'For Wards Hawke's Bay', the multicultural group of people from across the political spectrum has come together because Māori wards are better for all, organisers say. The group's public launch on Wednesday will be chaired by former Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham. "I am really happy to support this endeavour to secure Maori wards for our region," Graham says. "Maori wards add to our democracy and fit into its essential principles of 'one person one vote' and accountability to the electorate." Speakers at Wednesday's launch at the Clive Hall will include Hastings Presbyterian minister the Rev Jill McDonald, Hastings Takitimu Māori Ward councillor Heather Te Au-Skipworth, President of the Hawke's Bay Multicultural society Rizwaana Latiff, and Hayley Whittaker from the Public Service Association. All supporters of Māori wards are welcome to attend the meeting on Wednesday July 23 at the Clive Hall. Doors open at 5pm and the brief speeches are from 5.30 to 6pm. For Wards Hawke's Bay co-ordinator Neill Gordon says Hawke's Bay is coming together to support Māori Wards. 'For Wards Hawke's Bay is a community coalition of people from throughout the region - business and community leaders, old and young, tangata whenua and tangata tiriti, workers, faith leaders . . . who all recognise that Māori having a seat at the decision-making table means better decisions for all.' Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Hawke's Bay councils are among 42 nationwide holding a Māori wards referendum with the local body election postal vote that opens September 9 and closes October 11. Wairoa was the first council in New Zealand to introduce a Māori ward following a referendum in 2019. Voters there will take part in the Hawke's Bay Regional Council referendum. Historically, Mãori have been significantly under-represented in local government. In Napier there have been just three Māori councillors in 150 years and just a handful in Hastings. Candidates standing in Māori wards are elected by voters on the Māori roll, the same as for the Māori seats in Parliament. It's the same democratic principle as with rural council wards, which ensure people in remote areas have guaranteed representation and their voice isn't swamped by larger urban populations. There are no extra costs and councils with existing Māori wards say it saves money because better decisions are made for all, consultation happens properly and court cases are avoided. Gordon says that 'Democracy is many things – MMP, First Past the Post, a House of Lords . . . Democracy comes in many flavours. Fundamentally, democracy is about ensuring fair representation and that's exactly what Māori wards are designed to do.' 'No matter who we are or where we come from, most of us want a future where people and the environment are well cared for. 'But some people and groups are trying to divide us, and divert us from these concerns that matter to so many of us. At times, this division has meant our councils are not able to make the best decisions for our long term, ones that put care for people and our environment first. 'Māori wards have been a positive solution. By bringing in Māori culture, knowledge and ways of life, councils have become a better reflection of our communities and our shared concerns. Māori ward councillors have helped harness our collective strength by weaving our communities together so our councils can make better, long-term decisions that benefit all of us, and the places we love.'
RNZ News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Teen cycles from Whakatāne to Parliament for Māori wards
After biking almost a thousand kilometres encouraging people to 'say yes to Māori wards', a 15-year-old Whakatāne High School student pulled into Parliament's forecourt with a wheelie. Jack Karetai-Barrett left Whakatāne on 28 June aboard his Focus Atlas 6.7 gravel bike covering more than 894km to Wellington. "If I could keep going I would, but school holidays finish soon and I won't be able to get home in that time," he said. He was greeted outside Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition Chris Hipkins and Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau. Karetai-Barrett passed a letter to Hipkins asking for it to be conveyed to the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Karetai-Barrett (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha, Rapuwai) said Māori wards have always been a part of his life. When he was very young his mother Mawera Karetai had been working towards implementing them in local government. Back in 2020, he stood on the steps of Parliament as part of a group with a petition to abolish the referendum on Māori wards. The former Labour government passed that law in 2022. "Fast forward a wee bit later, now Christopher Luxon and the current Government has decided 'yeah nah we're not having these Māori wards anymore,' and I'm saying well 'yeah we are'," he said. The Local Government (Māori Wards) Amendment Bill passed its third reading in July last year. Forty-two councils who had established a Māori ward without polling residents will now have to hold a binding poll alongside this year's local body elections, or scrap the wards outright. Karetai-Barrett said Māori wards should be part of everyday life. Even though he can't vote in them yet, he encouraged other rangatahi, other young people, to make their voices heard. "For anyone that can't vote just remember that when you can that you are going to vet yes to Māori wards - nothing to say about it - and tell your parents too. There's nothing that wrong with them it's only plus sides not a single negative," he said. On the way down the island, people have welcomed Karetai-Barrett into their homes and prepared some "lovely kai". Without them, he couldn't have done it, he said. "Even people I was staying with some of them were not even for Māori wards they just loved the fact that I was doing something like this," he said. Karetai-Barrett said the first day of his mammoth ride was the toughest along difficult forestry roads. Compared to that his crossing of the Remutaka Hill cycle trails on Tuesday was "pretty easy". Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Mawera Karetai said she has raised two principled boys - Jack and his older brother David - who stand up for what they believe in. "When Jack said to me 'Mum I just heard on the news that the Government has brought back the need for a referendum for our Māori wards, how is it that they're even able to do that?' He was so shocked and it really upset him," she said. The Government has overruled the right of communities to have their own choices, she said. It's not the first time Karetai-Barrett has embarked on a marathon campaign for Māori wards. Earlier this year, he walked almost 80 kilometres from Whakatāne to Mauao (Mt Maunganui), but he suffered severe blistering on his feet leaving him unable to finish the final 10km. "Jack said to me 'Mum I'm going to walk to Tauranga' and I said 'what for? We've got a car son and there's busses' and he said 'no because it will raise awareness'," Mawera said. That tough journey was made tougher by racist messages directed at Karetai-Barrett online, she said. "'Someone run him over' - These are these messages that my son was being exposed everyday," she said. "What even goes on in your brain that makes you think it's ok to say that about a 15-year-old kid who is standing up for something he believes in." Mawera said that didn't deter him and after biking home from Tauranga, he got the idea to ride all the way to Wellington. All he needed to do it was a new bike. For his part Karetai-Barrett said he was proud of his mum for speaking to the crowd at Parliament as it's not something she would usually do. "I'm really proud of my mum too, I'm proud of everyone. I'm proud of people that say yes to Māori wards. I'm proud of people making change, I'm proud of the people my age who want to make a difference," he said. RNZ has approached the Minister for Local Government Simon Watts for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Teen cycling North Island to deliver letter supporting Māori wards to parliament
A 15 year old school boy is cycling his way down the North Island this school holidays to deliver a letter in support of keeping Māori wards to parliament. The Whakatane High School student is due to hit the capital on Wednesday but the PM has declined to meet him when he arrives. He has been on the road with his letter for eleven days now, but it is not his first time - delivering a petition in support of Māori wards to the steps parliament when he was 10. Jack Karetai Barret spoke to Lisa Owen. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
