An Extraordinary Meeting was held at 11:00am on Wed, 22 November 2023 to consider whether to establish one or more Māori wards. After considering the report and the engagement process and outcomes including the survey responses, Council heard seven submitters via zoom and in person. Each councillor then presented their views.
Council resolved to establish one or more Māori wards at the meeting. (The media release outlining the decision is available here).
Council wishes to thank the 165 plus residents who have provided feedback and thoughts on whether Kawerau District Council should establish one or more Māori wards in addition to the current 'at large' general ward in the 2025 and 2028 council elections.
Thank you to Tangata Whenua Iwi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa (Bay of Plenty) Settlement Trust, Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora, Rautahi Marae and Tarawera High School for hosting our Council engagement hui. Special thanks to Ngāti Tūwharetoa kaumātua Council Cultural Advisor Te Haukakawa Te Rire, kaumātua and Trust Board Chairs and Members, Tarawera High School tauira | students and all the residents who attended one or more meetings. We acknolwedge you and your support of our elected members.Thank you to Election Services’ Electoral Officer Dale Ofsoske and his team for providing an independent voice, and the expertise in presenting the facts about establishing one or more Māori wards.
Resources can be found here:
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Māori wards flyer here for more information. Election Services' Presentation:
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Rohenga Māori presentation by Election Services' Electoral Officer
A Māori Representation Review is a democratic process. Council will decide what percentage of Councillors will be in each ward. Currently, Kawerau has eight Councillors. If we wanted to break the wards 50/50, we would have 4 Councillors for the general ward and four for the Māori ward. Alternatively, we could have five general ward and three Māori ward Councillors. Another alternative is to change the number of Councillor seats representing Kawerau's Community.
Overall, the Māori Representation Review is the place to understand best what the community wants. The process will take a year, during which the Council will have informal and formal consultations with the community, Tangata Whenua, Kaumātua and the local iwi. Council will consider people's submissions, thoughts, and feelings to make an informed decision about how to represent Kawerau in Council. The public can appeal/object to Council's proposals. In doing so, Council will propose another way they think Council can best serve the community.