Maori ward referenda: race-baiting or democracy?

One side of the Maori ward argument calls it race-baiting (aka dog whistling) by those opposed to

implementing the partnership agreed under the Treaty/te Tiriti of Waitangi.

The other: a denial of democracy since all district voters were not given a vote on the issue. 

As a result, some 45 councils around the motu have had to decide whether to retain or jettison Maori wards previously approved by district councils without holding district-wide referenda.

This followed the central Government passing law to require referenda be held before a Maori ward can be introduced. The previous policy ensured Maori had independent seats at council tables.

The result of govenment forcing councils to mount referenda over the Maori wards: 43 of the 45 councils caught up in the law change will spend taxpayers’ dollars on local referenda next year. 

Kaipara and Upper Hutt are the only councils to vote against introducing Maori wards.

Far North District Council, the last to decide, affirmed it would retain all four of its Maori ward seats _ and like several others, seek legal advice to explore the implications of not holding a binding poll as required by government mandate.

South Wairarapa, where the council voted to introduce and then to retain its Maori ward, faces a $20,000 bill to hold a government-dictated vote on the issue.

Last month it voted unanimously to retain a Maori ward for the 2025 – 28 council triennium, and to determine its future at the 2025 election.