Latest news with #ForWardsHawke'sBay
Scoop
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Ex-Mayor Barbara Arnott Backs Māori Wards
Press Release – For Wards Hawke's Bay 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.
Scoop
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Community Coalition Backs Māori Wards
Press Release – For Wards Hawke's Bay Called For Wards Hawkes Bay, the multicultural group of people from across the political spectrum has come together because Mori wards are better for all, organisers say. A Hawke's Bay community coalition has been formed to back Māori wards at referendums in September. Called 'For Wards Hawke's Bay', the multicultural group of people from across the political spectrum has come together because Māori wards are better for all, organisers say. The group's public launch on Wednesday will be chaired by former Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham. 'I am really happy to support this endeavour to secure Maori wards for our region,' Graham says. 'Maori wards add to our democracy and fit into its essential principles of 'one person one vote' and accountability to the electorate.' Speakers at Wednesday's launch at the Clive Hall will include Hastings Presbyterian minister the Rev Jill McDonald, Hastings Takitimu Māori Ward councillor Heather Te Au-Skipworth, President of the Hawke's Bay Multicultural society Rizwaana Latiff, and Hayley Whittaker from the Public Service Association. All supporters of Māori wards are welcome to attend the meeting on Wednesday July 23 at the Clive Hall. Doors open at 5pm and the brief speeches are from 5.30 to 6pm. For Wards Hawke's Bay co-ordinator Neill Gordon says Hawke's Bay is coming together to support Māori Wards. 'For Wards Hawke's Bay is a community coalition of people from throughout the region – business and community leaders, old and young, tangata whenua and tangata tiriti, workers, faith leaders . . . who all recognise that Māori having a seat at the decision-making table means better decisions for all.' Hawke's Bay councils are among 42 nationwide holding a Māori wards referendum with the local body election postal vote that opens September 9 and closes October 11. Wairoa was the first council in New Zealand to introduce a Māori ward following a referendum in 2019. Voters there will take part in the Hawke's Bay Regional Council referendum. Historically, Mãori have been significantly under-represented in local government. In Napier there have been just three Māori councillors in 150 years and just a handful in Hastings. Candidates standing in Māori wards are elected by voters on the Māori roll, the same as for the Māori seats in Parliament. It's the same democratic principle as with rural council wards, which ensure people in remote areas have guaranteed representation and their voice isn't swamped by larger urban populations. There are no extra costs and councils with existing Māori wards say it saves money because better decisions are made for all, consultation happens properly and court cases are avoided. Gordon says that 'Democracy is many things – MMP, First Past the Post, a House of Lords . . . Democracy comes in many flavours. Fundamentally, democracy is about ensuring fair representation and that's exactly what Māori wards are designed to do.' '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. '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.'
Scoop
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Community Coalition Backs Māori Wards
A Hawke's Bay community coalition has been formed to back Māori wards at referendums in September. Called 'For Wards Hawke's Bay', the multicultural group of people from across the political spectrum has come together because Māori wards are better for all, organisers say. The group's public launch on Wednesday will be chaired by former Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham. "I am really happy to support this endeavour to secure Maori wards for our region," Graham says. "Maori wards add to our democracy and fit into its essential principles of 'one person one vote' and accountability to the electorate." Speakers at Wednesday's launch at the Clive Hall will include Hastings Presbyterian minister the Rev Jill McDonald, Hastings Takitimu Māori Ward councillor Heather Te Au-Skipworth, President of the Hawke's Bay Multicultural society Rizwaana Latiff, and Hayley Whittaker from the Public Service Association. All supporters of Māori wards are welcome to attend the meeting on Wednesday July 23 at the Clive Hall. Doors open at 5pm and the brief speeches are from 5.30 to 6pm. For Wards Hawke's Bay co-ordinator Neill Gordon says Hawke's Bay is coming together to support Māori Wards. 'For Wards Hawke's Bay is a community coalition of people from throughout the region - business and community leaders, old and young, tangata whenua and tangata tiriti, workers, faith leaders . . . who all recognise that Māori having a seat at the decision-making table means better decisions for all.' Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Hawke's Bay councils are among 42 nationwide holding a Māori wards referendum with the local body election postal vote that opens September 9 and closes October 11. Wairoa was the first council in New Zealand to introduce a Māori ward following a referendum in 2019. Voters there will take part in the Hawke's Bay Regional Council referendum. Historically, Mãori have been significantly under-represented in local government. In Napier there have been just three Māori councillors in 150 years and just a handful in Hastings. Candidates standing in Māori wards are elected by voters on the Māori roll, the same as for the Māori seats in Parliament. It's the same democratic principle as with rural council wards, which ensure people in remote areas have guaranteed representation and their voice isn't swamped by larger urban populations. There are no extra costs and councils with existing Māori wards say it saves money because better decisions are made for all, consultation happens properly and court cases are avoided. Gordon says that 'Democracy is many things – MMP, First Past the Post, a House of Lords . . . Democracy comes in many flavours. Fundamentally, democracy is about ensuring fair representation and that's exactly what Māori wards are designed to do.' '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. '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.'
