Trust chair eyes new ward

One of the first Māori to serve on a Waipā District Council committee says the experience and lessons learned have prompted him to put his name forward for the council.

Bill Harris

Bill Harris, 63, submitted his nomination for the Māori ward seat last Friday. The Ngāti Apakura Runanga Trust chair, who is on the Service Delivery committee, is one of four Te Kanohi iwi representatives.

Harris said because of the lack of overlap between the council committees, iwi representation on the council felt disjointed.

He believes having a Māori ward, introduced for the first time in Waipā at this election, will change that.

“You don’t get to ask questions unless you’re aware of them, and you can’t be aware of them unless you have a seat at the table,” he said.

Harris said that, above all, he is just “appreciative” that the district finally has a Māori ward.

Bill Harris, left, at a recent Service Delivery committee meeting.

More Recent News

New look on the cards

A few stylish artistic types have contributed to designs now brightening up Waipā district libraries’ membership cards and book bags. They were among the many who responded to an April competition held by the libraries…

News …… in brief

Yellow lines Waipā road safety staff have distributed signs to various schools pointing out the issues parents parking on yellow lines cause outside the schools. They are put out in the morning and at the…

Kākāpō trio returned

Waikato’s fledgling kākāpō population is proving too inquisitive for its own good. It was revealed this week three of the 10 birds brought up from the bottom of the South Island to Maungatautari had managed…

Expo to be annual fixture

An inaugural Retirement Expo held in Cambridge last week is to become an annual fixture after it received high praise from industry representatives. The expo – organised by a familiar face to The News readers…