They may be facing off at the polls, but Yvonne Waho and Dale-Maree Morgan share a common goal – saving the Waipā Māori ward, which they say is essential for democracy in the district.
Waipa Maori ward candidate Yvonne Waho, third right, waves with supporters at a major Cambridge roundabout. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Waho and Morgan – joined by two other candidates with Māori heritage and Hamilton City councillor Anna Cox-Casey – gathered at the St Andrew’s Anglican Church roundabout on Saturday to show their support for the ward.
Yvonne Waho – 2025
Waho, a last-minute nominee running against Morgan, believes fear is driving opposition to Māori wards.
“When you heed misinformation and give people a reason to be scared, they lose sight of its importance,” she said.
This month, voters will receive ballot papers asking whether or not they support keeping the Māori ward. The binding poll is part of the coalition agreement between National, ACT, and New Zealand First.
Waipā District Council established the Māori ward in 2021 following strong public support – of more than 900 submissions received, more than 750 were in favour.
The ward was created for the 2022 elections and reaffirmed by council last year.
“We will be working with our communities and working towards the same strategic plan. We will be on the same page,” said Waho.
Morgan said having the 18 per cent of Māori represented at the table had to be a good thing for Waipā as they had not been there before.
Morgan, who won a by-election two years ago to replace Waipā’s first Māori ward councillor Takena Stirling, said representation matters.
She also emphasised the potential of iwi partnerships to help address financial challenges.
“We’ve chosen not to tap into the Māori economy. If we’re still at the table, we can. It’s one way to keep rates low.”
She emphasised unity and shared history.
Dale-Maree Morgan – 2025
Māori and European together made for a stronger district, she said.
“We stand (together) for Anzac, for Armistice. We dug the trenches just like everybody else. We were there to keep our lands free even though we were victims of our land being taken.
“We will still stand together. Together is better, being divided is not.”
Both candidates stressed the importance of youth engagement, especially given census data showing a growing number of younger Māori compared to European.
“We need a succession plan – and we need young people to vote,” Morgan said.
To reach younger voters, Waho and Morgan plan to visit marae and increase their presence on digital platforms.
Waipa Maori ward candidates Dale-Maree Morgan, left, and Yvonne Waho, extreme right show their support with others in Cambridge. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
