Former Napier mayor Barbara Arnott has come out in support of Māori wards ahead of a referendum being held with the local body election.
In a short video recorded for ‘For Wards Hawke’s Bay’, Arnott, current chair of Napier’s Art Deco Trust, says: “Council representation means people working collectively for us. I want as many knowledgeable and diverse people around the table as possible. Māori wards work, they’re common sense. I’ve already given them my tick and hope you do too.” [View Here]
Napier has had only three Māori councillors in 150 years.
The wards being introduced in Napier for the first time this year would see 2 councillors elected by voters on the Māori electoral roll and 9 councillors elected by general roll voters.
Anyone can stand as a candidate in a Māori ward. The system mirrors the Māori seats in Parliament.
‘For Wards Hawke’s Bay’ is a community coalition supporting fair, democratic representation and Māori wards. Co-ordinator Neill Gordon says: “People know how wards work. There’s a Taradale ward to ensure that community’s voice is heard, there are rural wards in Hastings to make sure the bigger urban populations don’t drown out the rural voice and Māori wards are no different.
“The facts are clear. When you’ve had only three Māori councillors in Napier in 150 years, just four in Central Hawke’s Bay and a handful in Hastings it’s obvious there’s a gaping hole in our democracy. And we’re all missing out because, as councils with existing Māori wards have found, you get better community engagement and better decisions for everyone when there are Māori voices at the table.”
In Napier, after a five-month consultation period in 2021 with residents on this matter, council received 1300 submissions. Although over half submitted against Māori wards, 95% of those on the Māori roll submitted in favour. All those who spoke to their submissions over the two-day hearings were in favour of Māori wards.
On 20 October 2021, Napier City Council resolved to introduce Māori Wards for the 2025 local body elections. The vote was carried 11 votes in favour with one abstention and with strong and resounding support voiced by councillors.
The current Government passed legislation on 30 July 2024 requiring local authorities to hold a binding poll if they want to establish Māori wards.
In line with the legislation, the matter will be settled by the community in a binding poll to be held during the 2025 election. The poll will ask the community whether we should keep Māori wards beyond the 2025-2028 triennium. If the community’s answer is no, then Māori wards will be removed from the 2028 election. If the community’s answer is yes, then Māori wards will remain at least until the 2031 local government election.
Barbara Arnott QSO served as the 18th mayor of Napier between 2001 and 2013.
Similar referenda are being conducted for the CHBDC, Hastings and Regional Councils.
Fair enough Barbara….what about an Asian ward?
Fair comment and great idea, Maori and Asian wards would reflect a fair voice. After all, Napier is made up of a wide demographic, not just old white uneducated males. Maori and Asian people dont need the likes of you to make decisions on their behalf.
While it would be nice to have a ward for every nationality, they all have a cultural home in another part of the world. Aotearoa NZ is the home of Maori. They signed a Treaty with Pakeha to live together in mutuality. The best way for this country to move forwards peacefully is to respect that agreement. So far we have not lived up to that very well!
Councils, communities benefit by having a Maori voice.
Hi Barbara, how’s that $3 million + for your Art Deco building courtesy of your ratepayers going? Just another wolf in sheep’s clothing like the current Mayor. No to Maori Wards and no to BA.
No to Maori Wards. Yes to democracy.
Yes to Maori Wards.
Comes down to understanding the agreement made between the British Crown and Maori in 1840, that enabled European immigrants to live here. Yes to Maori wards.
Well said Angie, for far too long have those who wish to deny the agreement and what it describes dominated the airspace and controlled the narrative.
No to Maori Wards.
No to seperatism. No to seperate Maori Wards.
Yes to getting there under “ones own ability” and “personal merit”. NO matter, which mixture or amount of “blood lines”……..flows through ones veins?
No to exclusive Maori Wards.
David: the difficulty is that when it comes to elections, we tend to vote for our own kind, hence only 3 Maori in 150 years in Napier. It encourages Maori to step into these roles hence growing their skills and playing a stronger role as Treaty partners. It is inclusive, fair and democratic just as the rural seat is.
Yes to democracy! Yes to Māori Wards! Our Councils have on at least two occasions democratically vote for Māori Wards as part of their representation reviews.
Yes to Maori Wards – what percentage of HB have Maori background – why can’t they be represented without having to bow down to the opinions of white privileged voters – and they were here before said white/asian etc people so have the right to be represented
Yes to Maori Wards. Have you naysayers ever heard of the Treaty of Waitangi which our British ancestors signed with the human owners of this country ; in that agreement, our British ancestors entered into a partnership with Maori which gave the British the right to bring more of their citizens here to share this land ; it also meant that other colonising countries like France, Germany, etc couldn’t get a ” foot in the door “.
The fact that our British ancestors then proceeded to dishonour that agreement is a dsgrace and a blight on our collective conscience so, in my opinion, you naysayers are continuing that travesty.
I think you also need to realise, that it is only voters on the Maori Roll who will be voting for those candidates so no one is getting a double vote. And as I understand it, the cost to ratepayers will not increase – the money paid to all councilors is just shared out more thinly.
And if you are not convinced and still think candidates should only be elected ” on their merits, etc ” then presumably those of you who live in urban areas should also be objecting to your rural “cousins ” having their own wards – and vicer- verser for those living rurally.
Vote “yes” for Maori Wards and come into the 21st century.
Grant and Gerard, we are in the 21st century. You are the ones living in the past. I’ll be voting no, but lovely to hear your susinct arguments. That’s progress for ya. Democracy isn’t for everyone. Pleasant dreams.
I’m led to believe that in the treaty, the founding document of NZ, states that we should all be treated equally and with respect, YEAH RITE!! I have absolutely no problem with that statement!! none at all!! so why are we separating the Maori away from the rest? there is no need for it! none at all, they can stand for election just like everyone else, you put you name up for election and the voters give us a decision, I have no problem with that system none at all!!