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Maori Ward retention takes 10 minutes – October 2024

October 7, 2024 October 2024 No Comments

The historic 2023 decision to establish a Maori Ward in South Wairarapa was retained by  unanimous vote at a council meeting last month _ with  a three-year term assured to begin from the 2025 local body elections.

At the same election, the council will be forced to spend $20,000 on a central government-required referendum on whether the Maori representation ward should continue.  

September’s Extraordinary meeting took just 10 minutes to retain the newly-minted ward. The meeting then ended amid gentle clapping and some tears.  

Several councillors expressed anger and disappointment at the need to spend ratepayers’ money on a binding poll over the future of the Maori Ward beyond 2028.

“It is unfortunate this comes at a cost imposed on ratepayers by this central government” _ not this council _ Mayor Martin Connelly said ahead of the vote.

“I would like to take this opportunity to level the harshest possible criticism I can to our central government for putting us in this position,” said councillor Rebecca Gray.

Deputy Mayor Melissa Sadler-Futter was disappointed council had been forced to relitigate the Maori Ward decision.

“Regardless of which side of the debate you sit on, if you feel disappointed or angry, I suggest you should be disappointed and angry with our central government, not this committee table,” she told ratepayers. 

If people were cross at the $20,000 cost to run a binding poll, “be cross at the right people … be cross at the central government,” she added. 

One speaker during public input said the decision should be rescinded, and councillors must be  “very sure” a binding poll will confirm a Maori Ward “otherwise they are just wasting our money.” “Binding polls to establish a Māori Ward had not been successful for other councils,” resident John Errington said, with all polls “overwhelmingly against” Maori Wards. 

Herewini Ammunson, chair of Papawai Marae, said the partnership agreed in the Treaty of Waitangi had been given meaning by the council’s Maori Ward approved.

“We ask councillors to honour and uphold those longstanding relationships (of Maori and Pakeha in Wairarapa) by supporting the Maori Ward option going to a poll in 2025.”

“Maori Wards are a step toward the fulfillment of Maori rights under the Treaty, specifically partnership … and a way for Maori voices to be heard at the council table.” 

South Wairarapa Maori Standing Committee chair Andrea Rutene wanted to “implore you to uphold the mana of your decision made in November 2023. We pray you uphold the decision. 

“ We feel we have a right to have a voice of significance _ and to contribute in a way that is meaningful. We want you to vote on the right side of history,” she told the meeting.

After the vote, Councillor Pip Maynard noted: “this is how democracy works.” 

“There will be a Maori Ward at the 2025 election, with a poll at that time to decide if we continue with Maori Wards in 2028 and 2031.”

“We’re unhappy there’s going to be a poll cost on ratepayers due to central government. It’s a real shame.”

The unanimous vote came with two members absent: councillors Plimmer and Woodcock _ who both voted against the Maori Ward at the 2023 meeting. Councillor Bosley opposed it in November but was recorded favouring the ward at this vote.

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