Waipa supports Maori wards

Waipā councillors today voted to support Māori wards.

The decision means voters will be polled at next year’s local body elections on whether to continue with having an at large Waipā Māori ward in the district.

Councillors who spoke at the district council meeting this morning were full of praise for the work current Maori representative Dale-Maree Morgan had done in her one year, one month and 25 days in the job.

An emotional mayor Susan O’Regan said she was annoyed the council was being put in the position of having the debate only three years after it decided to establish a Maori ward for the 2022 local body elections.

Waipa councillors and iwi at the start of today’s Waipa council meeting in Te Awamutu.

“This notion of Māori wards – is localism in action,” she said.

Representatives from Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, and the Raukawa Charitable Trust, were invited to speak at the council meeting, and were united in their passionate support for the continuation of Māori wards.

Morgan said the decision to support Maori wards should be grounded “in our commitment to uphold the rights of Maaori as guaranteed under Te Tiriti, not subject to the whims of a majority vote.

“We have a moral duty to protect these rights, even when it may not be the most convenient or popular path.”

Jackie Collier of Waikato-Tainui hugs Dale-Maree Morgan after the vote today. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

More to come ……

Dale-Maree Morgan at today’s Waipa District Council meeting. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

More Recent News

News in brief

Birthday boy There will be a party in the Pettit household for the second weekend running when new mayor Mike celebrates his 58th birthday on Saturday. New entrance opens The Te Awa Lifecare entrance project…

It’s down to specials

The political futures of 10 Waipā candidates rest with special votes which are unlikely to be processed before tomorrow. (Thursday) As The News went to press, Liz Stolwyk and Stu Kneebone were neck and neck…

Bech renews water debate

Water is back on the table at Waikato District Council following Aksel Bech’s decisive mayoral victory over incumbent Jacqui Church. Bech returns to the council where he previously served as deputy mayor before losing to…

Local elections – preliminary results

Midday More shocks. Liz Stolwyk who looked to have been beaten by Stu Kneebone for the second Waipa King Country spot on Waikato Regional Council has now edged ahead following the release of preliminary results…