Waipā says a strong ‘no’ to binding polls on Māori Wards

Waipā District Council is calling on the Government to halt the progression of the bill that would see a binding poll required to maintain its Māori Ward.

It has also heavily criticised the short time allowed for submissions to be made and for ‘initiating a truncated process’ for an important matter that ‘cuts to the heart of our constitutional framework’.

Submissions to the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill opened last Friday and closed last night.

Mayor Susan O’Regan said while the council had already written to the Minister of Local Government prior to the introduction of the Bill, the Council wanted the Select Committee to be very clear on its strong opposition to the Bill.

Waipā District Council established its first Māori ward in May 2021 following comprehensive consultation with the community. That consultation drew close to 900 submissions with 84 per cent of those in favour of establishing the ward. Of submissions from within the district, 73 per cent supported a Māori ward.

“The decision was made for our community by well-informed and democratically elected councillors who considered the issue at length,” said O’Regan.

“Our 2021 decision to establish a Māori ward reflected the desire of our community, as well as the desire of elected councillors around our table.”

Mayor O’Regan said she was dismayed at “the unnecessary and heavy-handed intervention from central government” on the issue.

It was more perplexing given the government’s well-known advocacy for ‘localism’ and for councils developing local solutions, she said.

“Waipā’s decision to establish a Māori ward is a clear example of localism at work. It is Council’s view, and our view personally, that the Bill is an unnecessary over-reach. It reflects poorly on central government’s understanding and respect for the role of ‘local’ government and disregards sound democratic processes.

“We are also troubled as to why the government wishes to restore binding polls for Māori wards – costing at least $50,000 – but not for other wards. Our council, for example, has two rural wards but unlike Māori wards, our rural wards will not require a binding poll. We do not see why these two types of wards should be treated differently. “

New Zealand was already facing a number of challenges.

“There will be no winners from any move to reinstate binding polls for only Māori wards,” said O’Regan.

“Indeed, it will create unnecessary cost and division for our community without any demonstrable gain. Within local government, there are far more important things to focus on.”

Mayor O’Regan was one of over 50 mayors who co-signed a letter from Local Government New Zealand opposing the bill when the detail was released.

Waipā District Council has also supported submissions by Local Government New Zealand and Taituara also opposing the bill.