Napier’s Māori wards up for discussion

You will have probably heard that the issue of Māori wards is back in the spotlight again for Napier City Council and other local authorities around the country. It’s a contentious issue at the best of times and has been forced back into the public’s consciousness because of new legislation introduced by the Government.

In 2021, Napier City Council chose to introduce Māori wards for the 2025 election. This decision came about after a lengthy consultation, in which many people made submissions against introducing Māori wards. Yet 95% of those on the Māori roll submitted in favour and all who fronted at the consultation hearings spoke in favour of Māori wards. 

In line with the legislation at that time, we made this decision without holding a binding poll. The new legislation requires us to hold a poll at the next election, but before that, decide by 6 September on whether to stick with our 2021 decision or quash it.

We’re now once again at a critical point in our decision-making on this matter. We’re asking our community what it thinks of our 2021 decision. If Council votes to continue with introducing Māori wards, then the matter will finally be settled by the community in a binding poll at the 2025 election.

Alternatively, quashing our decision would mean Māori wards are not introduced in 2025, and under current legislation, they never will be unless a binding poll is initiated and the community votes yes. 

My hope is that Māori wards will encourage more Māori to stand in our local elections. Napier’s electoral history shows that very few Māori have stood for Council. Since 1977, Napier has had 193 councillors. Three – or 1.6% – have been Māori. 

I believe Māori wards would create a platform to build Māori capacity in myriad of ways. Leadership development and roles of influence in business, NGOs or politics could be that much easier for Napier’s Māori to attain, if they have local government experience. Standing as a candidate in a Māori ward, and being voted on to Council, will give them that experience. Making this social investment in our Māori community will broaden and improve Napier’s socio-economic capacity.

Māori wards will encourage more participation in voting and local democratic processes among Māori. Having candidates representing their interests can only help to encourage greater participation of tangata whenua in civic life, where they are currently under-represented in voter turnout.

Māori wards will bring a stronger bi-cultural perspective to our planning and decision making. This upholds the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi as Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document. I believe Māori wards will reinforce Napier City Council’s commitment to work in partnership. It will add power and mana to the Council and create new forms of Māori representation, rather than replacing any that exist already.

Finally, there is no financial loss to Council or community in introducing Māori wards. The Government’s Remuneration Authority sets a fixed budget for Napier’s Council, which remains the same regardless of the number or composition of councillors.  

Our consultation is open on sayitnapier.nz until Thursday 22 August. Representation is at the core of local government, and your voice on this issue matters. Be sure to let Napier City Council know what you think.

Kirsten Wise
Mayor of Napier