Dale-Maree Morgan and Yvonne Waho are the two nominees in what could be the final election for the Waipā Māori ward.
Neither wants to see Māori wards go.
Dale-Maree Morgan – 2025
A referendum alongside the local body elections will determine whether or not dedicated Māori wards and constituencies will remain in place for individual councils.
Morgan, who holds the Māori seat in Waipā says she is seeking re-election to continue the work already underway.
“I’m putting my hat back in for a second round,” she said. “Ideally, to complete and progress work that my colleagues spoke humbling accolades about when we voted to retain the role in August 2024.
“I’m advocating to keep Māori wards as a tangible step that honours Te Tiriti – a progressive step already in place. No stress – vote yes.”
Morgan was behind the Don’t Burn Waipā campaign, and its works was one of the original reasons she stood in the 2023 by-election.
“I was originally approached and contacted by concerned advocacy groups in 2020/2021, asked to lead the response to the proposed Waste to Energy Incineration Plant application,” Morgan said.
“We held a number of community meetings and got a group of fantastic community members who have valiantly held the space, to resist that plant coming to the Waipā district.”
She is also seeking a seat on Waikato District Council’s Ngāruawāhia Community Board.
Yvonne Waho – 2025
Candidate number two, Waho, recently moved to Hastings from Te Awamutu but is still regularly on Waipā soil.
She said Māori wards provide a crucial platform to “address the specific needs and aspirations of our communities.”
The position is there to ensure that decision-making reflects Māori values, experiences and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, she said.
“I have strong ties to the Waipā district and travel back often. Although I live outside the district, I stay closely connected to my people and whenua,” Waho said.
“Being present and accessible is important to me, and I’m committed to staying actively involved in the communities I represent.
“I bring a deep commitment to representing our people with integrity, connection, and purpose.
“For me, this is about more than a seat at the table – it’s about ensuring Māori are actively involved in shaping the decisions that affect our whānau, our whenua, and our future.
“I want to help bring a stronger, more connected voice for our people into local government.”
