Ex-Mayor Barbara Arnott Backs Māori Wards
For Wards Hawke's Bay is a community coalition supporting fair, democratic representation and Mori wards, says co-ordinator Neill Gordon.
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 Māori wards work and are 'common sense'.
Napier has had only three Māori councillors in 150 years.
The wards being introduced in Napier for the first time this year will 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, says co-ordinator Neill Gordon.
'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.
'Māori wards have been a positive solution. By bringing in Māori culture, knowledge and ways of life, councils have become a better reflection of our communities and our shared concerns. Māori ward councillors have helped harness our collective strength by weaving our communities together so our councils can make better, long-term decisions that benefit all of us, and the places we love.
'No matter who we are or where we come from, most of us want a future where people and the environment are well cared for.
'But some people and groups are trying to divide us, and divert us from these concerns that matter to so many of us. At times, this division has meant our councils are not able to make the best decisions for our long term, ones that put care for people and our environment first.'
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 per cent 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.
Following a two-week consultation, on 5 September 2024 Council voted to reaffirm its decision to introduce Māori wards at the 2025 local election. This confirms that Napier residents on the Māori roll will vote for two Māori ward candidates at the 2025 election. In line with new Government 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, and was the first female mayor of the city. She is on the board of trustees for the Hawke's Bay Power Consumers Trust.
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