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. … Continue Reading

Maori Ward retention takes 10 minutes – October 2024

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. … Continue Reading

Predator control to help save species

Fledgling birds are in their unprotected nests and predators – particularly rats, mice and possums – are skipping up the trees in search of food.

To help reduce this annual slaughter of the innocents, Greytown Rotary Predator Free hosted a workshop of locals and  enlisted its Menz Shed to produce and distribute 25 new predator traps for use round the town.

“With bird breeding season in full swing, this initiative is vital for protecting vulnerable native birds and ensuring the survival of fledglings,” organiser Julie Small said. Workshop “Participants gained hands-on training in trap maintenance and learned about the importance of controlling predator populations.”

“These traps are specially designed boxes to only allow rats and mice in.” … Continue Reading

Pumped up and ready to go!

By Charlotte Harding

This month we welcome the Trailpro team and officially celebrate a dream coming to reality as the Pump Track build starts! Martinborough Youth Trust members are thrilled to see this project come to fruition: “it’s been a long road but we finally got here!”

With summer just around the corner, timing couldn’t be better, and come the end of November when the community pool opens Considine Park will be the place to be with the pump track adding another activity to its family/youth focused offering. 

The community-led project that was sparked from a casual conversation several years ago shows what is possible. 

“It’s been a long road but council have been incredibly supportive of us getting to this point and working in collaboration. It’s been slow at times but as they say good things take time and we always had ‘a do it once, do it properly’ approach to the project.” 

As well as some grant funding the project has been incredibly blessed with several very generous private donations which have had a huge impact on the build being achieved this year. We have also been working closely with several local businesses who approached the group with support when build time came around. 

We also want to give huge thanks to the community who have been cheering us on for a long time! Pledges via Givealittle, sausage sizzles, and fireworks night event donations together with the classic change bucket at Kitchener’s have all had an impact in raising $310,000 for the project.

Ultimately the proof will be in the riding, and we cannot wait to see the kids (and adults) using the track. Built to suit toddlers on balance bikes _ with a dedicated loop just for them _ to a more challenging track that will enable kids to build skills and use it in new ways as their skills grow, Martinborough Pump Track will bring a whole new level of outdoor fun to our community.

(Charlotte Harding has been the face of the project, working with Youth Trust trio Terry Blacktop, Sue Sullivan and Pat Church).

Caption: Pump Track adjacent to the pool in Considine Park.