Latest news with #MāoriWards
Scoop
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Calling The Voices Of Tairāwhiti To Enrol, Stand And Vote
Tō Reo, Tō Mana, Your Voice, Your Power – is the call to action from the Gisborne District Council to encourage the people of Tairāwhiti to participate in this year's local body elections and referendum this October. Council Chief Executive Nedine Thatcher-Swann says now is the time for people to check they're enrolled and their contact details are up to date — especially for those thinking about standing for Council or wanting to make sure their vote, and their voice, counts. 'Elected members play a vital role in our communities. They uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and make decisions that impact our local services, rules, investment and plans for the future of our region,' she says. 'Standing for Council is about stepping up to represent your whānau, community and values. Bringing their voices and ideas forward to make important decisions for the future of our community over the next three years.' 'You don't need any special qualifications. Strong communication, leadership, and decision-making skills are helpful, as is being open-minded, respectful and having a genuine commitment to your community.' 'It's also essential that we see more of our community exercising their right to vote when papers are posted out in September,' says Ms Thatcher Swann. "In 2022, only 43% of those enrolled in Tairāwhiti voted, with Māori and young people notably under-represented. This year, we're rolling out an impactful campaign ahead of election day to inspire more people totake action." This year people must also decide the future of Māori Wards for Tairāwhiti in a referendum. 'A decision to keep or remove Māori Wards will determine how our community is represented in the future.' Anyone considering standing for the 2025 elections will need to choose whether to run in the Māori Ward (5 seats), the General Ward (8 seats), or for Mayor (1). To help potential candidates understand what's involved in being an elected member, Council is hosting a series of Candidate Information Evenings during June and July. These events are an opportunity to learn more about what it means to become an elected member, the requirements for the role, including time commitments, responsibilities, and the rules around campaigning. 'These are relaxed and informative evenings where you can ask questions and get a real feel for what's involved in becoming an elected member,' says Ms Thatcher-Swann. 'Whether you're passionate about infrastructure, housing, the environment, or local development, standing for Council is an opportunity to represent your community and influence the future of Te Tairāwhiti.' Thinking about standing for Council? To be eligible, you must be a New Zealand citizen, aged 18 or over, and enrolled on the parliamentary electoral roll. You'll need to complete a nomination form, have it signed by two people enrolled in the ward that you're standing in, and pay a $200 deposit. Nominations open Friday 4 July and close at 12 noon on Friday 1 August. Nomination forms will be available from Council offices and on the Council website. Late nominations will not be accepted. For more information about how to stand, candidate requirements, and upcoming information evenings, visit
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Jack's Next Mission For Māori Wards
Article – Diane McCarthy – Local Democracy Reporter He plans to take his and other youth voices about the importance of Mori wards to Parliament. Māori wards campaigner, 15-year-old Jack Karetai-Barrett, is not finished with his efforts to raise awareness about the need for Māori perspectives in local government. He plans to take his and other youth voices about the importance of Māori wards to Parliament. Jack walked and cycled to Tauranga and back during the latest school holidays to promote Māori wards, but on his return, said there was something else he wanted to do. 'I'm riding my bike to Wellington. My goal is to deliver a letter to Christopher Luxon explaining why Māori Wards matter,' Jack said. He plans to leave Whakatāne on June 29, the first Sunday of the upcoming school holidays. 'I'll pick up letters from other kids on the way. I'm writing to schools and places now to ask them to help kids write letters.' He has contacted the Prime Minister's Office to let them know he is coming and to request a meeting with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. It is not Jacks first journey to Parliament. At the age of 10 he was part of a group from Whakatāne who delivered a petition to the steps of Parliament to change legislation to allow councils to create Māori wards without the ability of the community to overturn the decision through a referendum. His mother, Mawera Karetai, said he had never forgotten that experience, which had a profound impact on him. 'I didn't realise just how strongly that whole experience affected him. That sense of having some power to have change made.' He plans to ask the Prime Minister to vote on his behalf because he is not yet old enough to vote for himself. A bus load of people from Whakatāne will be travelling to Wellington to support him but most of the trip he will be making on his own. Once his route is determined he will let people know what towns he will be in on what day so that people will be able to host him. He hopes other rangatahi will entrust him with letters expressing their hopes in regard to Māori representation in local government to give to Mr Luxon.
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Jack's Next Mission For Māori Wards
Māori wards campaigner, 15-year-old Jack Karetai-Barrett, is not finished with his efforts to raise awareness about the need for Māori perspectives in local government. He plans to take his and other youth voices about the importance of Māori wards to Parliament. Jack walked and cycled to Tauranga and back during the latest school holidays to promote Māori wards, but on his return, said there was something else he wanted to do. "I'm riding my bike to Wellington. My goal is to deliver a letter to Christopher Luxon explaining why Māori Wards matter,' Jack said. He plans to leave Whakatāne on June 29, the first Sunday of the upcoming school holidays. 'I'll pick up letters from other kids on the way. I'm writing to schools and places now to ask them to help kids write letters.' He has contacted the Prime Minister's Office to let them know he is coming and to request a meeting with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. It is not Jacks first journey to Parliament. At the age of 10 he was part of a group from Whakatāne who delivered a petition to the steps of Parliament to change legislation to allow councils to create Māori wards without the ability of the community to overturn the decision through a referendum. His mother, Mawera Karetai, said he had never forgotten that experience, which had a profound impact on him. 'I didn't realise just how strongly that whole experience affected him. That sense of having some power to have change made.' He plans to ask the Prime Minister to vote on his behalf because he is not yet old enough to vote for himself. A bus load of people from Whakatāne will be travelling to Wellington to support him but most of the trip he will be making on his own. Once his route is determined he will let people know what towns he will be in on what day so that people will be able to host him. He hopes other rangatahi will entrust him with letters expressing their hopes in regard to Māori representation in local government to give to Mr Luxon.
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Thinking Of Standing? First Māori Seats In Spotlight Ahead Of Council Elections And Referendum
Article – Moana Ellis – Local Democracy Reporter The October elections will be the first time Mori in Whanganui will have the option of voting in councillors for the districts new Mori ward. An information evening for people thinking about standing in this year's local body elections will have a strong focus on the Whanganui's first two Māori ward seats. The October elections will be the first time Māori voters will have the option of voting in councillors for the district's new Māori ward. Whanganui District Council will hold a candidate information evening at Te Ao Hou Marae on Friday 16 May at 5.15pm. The event will feature New Plymouth District councillor Dinnie Moeahu and Manawatū District Māori ward councillor Bridget Bell sharing insights about their experiences in local government. Both councillors are members of Te Maruata, the Local Government New Zealand network supporting Māori elected members. The Whanganui council's deputy electoral officer and democracy services manager, Anna Palamountain, said the event would be a chance for people to hear about the reality of being a councillor and learn about the rules for standing for election. Nominations open on 4 July and close at 12 noon on 1 August. 'So, if you haven't already, now is the time to be thinking about standing up and representing your community as a councillor – or shoulder-tapping others who you think would be well-suited for the role,' Palamountain said. 'Even if you're not personally planning to run for council, this event will be a great chance to learn how Whanganui's new Māori ward will work.' Māori wards for councils are similar to Māori electorates in Parliament. Voters on the Māori electoral roll elect Māori ward councillors, and general roll voters elect general ward councillors. Whanganui will have one Māori ward with two councillors, 10 general ward councillors, and the mayor. Council chief executive David Langford said Māori ward councillors, just like general ward councillors, would represent the whole community and take an oath to serve all residents and ratepayers. 'The idea behind having a Māori ward is to increase Māori representation at local government level, as despite making up nearly a quarter of our district's population, people of Māori descent have historically been under-represented in Whanganui in terms of elected members,' Langford said. The Māori ward referendum being conducted as part of the 2025 local elections will also be discussed. 'At the same time as they vote for councillors and mayor, voters will be asked whether they support the continuation of a Māori ward in our district or not,' Langford said. The council decided in October last year to introduce Māori Wards. During community consultation, 53% of submissions supported Māori Wards. Langford said the referendum was imposed by central government and could cost ratepayers $45,000. The first information evening at Te Ao Hou Marae on Somme Parade is free to attend, with all welcome. A second information event will be held at the War Memorial Hall on Monday 16 June, covering the election more broadly.
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Thinking Of Standing? First Māori Seats In Spotlight Ahead Of Council Elections And Referendum
An information evening for people thinking about standing in this year's local body elections will have a strong focus on the Whanganui's first two Māori ward seats. The October elections will be the first time Māori voters will have the option of voting in councillors for the district's new Māori ward. Whanganui District Council will hold a candidate information evening at Te Ao Hou Marae on Friday 16 May at 5.15pm. The event will feature New Plymouth District councillor Dinnie Moeahu and Manawatū District Māori ward councillor Bridget Bell sharing insights about their experiences in local government. Both councillors are members of Te Maruata, the Local Government New Zealand network supporting Māori elected members. The Whanganui council's deputy electoral officer and democracy services manager, Anna Palamountain, said the event would be a chance for people to hear about the reality of being a councillor and learn about the rules for standing for election. Nominations open on 4 July and close at 12 noon on 1 August. 'So, if you haven't already, now is the time to be thinking about standing up and representing your community as a councillor – or shoulder-tapping others who you think would be well-suited for the role,' Palamountain said. 'Even if you're not personally planning to run for council, this event will be a great chance to learn how Whanganui's new Māori ward will work.' Māori wards for councils are similar to Māori electorates in Parliament. Voters on the Māori electoral roll elect Māori ward councillors, and general roll voters elect general ward councillors. Whanganui will have one Māori ward with two councillors, 10 general ward councillors, and the mayor. Council chief executive David Langford said Māori ward councillors, just like general ward councillors, would represent the whole community and take an oath to serve all residents and ratepayers. 'The idea behind having a Māori ward is to increase Māori representation at local government level, as despite making up nearly a quarter of our district's population, people of Māori descent have historically been under-represented in Whanganui in terms of elected members,' Langford said. The Māori ward referendum being conducted as part of the 2025 local elections will also be discussed. 'At the same time as they vote for councillors and mayor, voters will be asked whether they support the continuation of a Māori ward in our district or not,' Langford said. The council decided in October last year to introduce Māori Wards. During community consultation, 53% of submissions supported Māori Wards. Langford said the referendum was imposed by central government and could cost ratepayers $45,000. The first information evening at Te Ao Hou Marae on Somme Parade is free to attend, with all welcome. A second information event will be held at the War Memorial Hall on Monday 16 June, covering the election more broadly.
