Last week, Kawerau District Council was one of many councils to submit their opposition to the select committee about the proposed Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill.

The coalition Government’s Māori wards bill would revert the law back to the old rules for establishing Māori wards and require a binding referendum on wards that were established since 2020 without a referendum.

Kawerau District Council made a submission to the select committee, opposing the bill last week.

The submission stated the bill undermined local decision-making by councillors who have been elected by our community. Kawerau District Council's submission also stated that the bill undermined the rights of Tangata Whenua, and went against the basic principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.     

The bill impacts Kawerau as Council last year resolved to introduce Māori representation for the 2025 local government elections, and would require a binding poll at the same elections. The result of the poll would determine if Kawerau retained Māori representation or not for the 2028 and 2031 elections. The letter of submission opposing the Bill can be viewed here. 

Kawerau District Council's Submission against Māori Wards Bill

In addition, Kawerau District Council was one of many to endorse the letter by Local Government New Zealand  (LGNZ) submitting against the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill. The letter can be viewed by this link below: 

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) Submission Opposing Māori Ward Bill

For more information about the, Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill please visit the following government website:

Parliamentary Counsel Office with information about the Bill