RANGITĀNE O WAIRAU JOINS TE TAUIHU IWI IN SUPPORT OF MĀORI WARDS
Rangitāne o Wairau has joined with the Te Tauihu Iwi Chairs Forum (comprising Iwi Chairs from Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Toarangatira, Rangitāne o Wairau and Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui) calling on the three Councils of Te Tauihu o Te Waka a Māui to express our explicit desire to see Māori wards put in place across all three Councils in Te Tauihu (those Councils being the Marlborough District Council, Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council).
Collectively, the Forum said that “recent changes to the Local Electoral Act have allowed for Māori wards to be established in the same way that general wards are. Te Tauihu Iwi Chairs now look to the Mayors of Te Tauihu to ensure that iwi Māori appointed representation is able to sit at the Council table on equal terms with other Councillors”
“Whilst the Māori ward system does not deliver a true partnership as envisaged by Te Tiriti, nor deals with racism experienced by our communities, it is a start and an advancement on the status quo. We are therefore strong advocates for such to be implemented sooner rather than later.”
We welcome working with Te Tauihu Councils to provide guidance as to how Māori wards could be set up within each of the Councils.
Ends
For further information, contact Corey Hebberd, General Manager, Rangitāne o Wairau, 03 578 6180 or email manager@rangitane.org.nz.
CLICK – Letter of Support for Māori Wards
