Maori wards poll looks likely

A petition opposing Maori wards in the Manawatu District appears to have surpassed the target needed to force a poll that could overturn the council’s decision to bring them in.

Both the Palmerston North City Council and Manawatu District Council voted last year in favour of establishing Maori wards, but a petition in Manawatu has gathered more than 1600 signatures, comfortably exceeding the 1004 needed to force a referendum if those signatures are verified.

In Palmerston North, petition organiser Don Esslemont couldn’t give an exact number of signatures so far, remaining ‘‘optimistic, but not certain’’ the target of 2727 in the city will be met.

Manawatu petition organiser and councillor Andrew Quarrie said the support highlighted how opposed people were to the council’s decision. But he would collect signatures until the February 21 deadline as the returning officer might rule some out as invalid.

A poll would cost ratepayers $80,000 to $100,000.

The campaign against Maori wards gained significant traction last month when Hobson’s Pledge spokesman Don Brash came to town, Quarrie said.

More than 1000 people signed the petition after the former politician’s visit.

‘‘They’re coming in thick and fast and we’re not really even pushing it any more.’’

People said Maori wards would create division and, while both sides wanted the best outcomes for Ma¯ ori, they had different ways of going about it, he said.

Quarrie was one of four Manawatu¯ councillors who voted against the wards proposal in November. He said councillors were elected to represent the interests of the entire district, not any one group.

He said the council had shown willingness to consult and cooperate with iwi, so a Ma¯ ori ward was unnecessary.

Pro-ward councillor Hilary Humphrey said Maori wards aligned with the principles established by the Waitangi Tribunal – those of partnership, protection and participation.

More than half of Maori in Manawatu were under 25 and an elected representative in a Ma¯ ori ward would only strengthen engagement with the council, she said.

‘‘We can choose fear, uncertainty or the status quo. Or we can open our arms to co-operation, collaboration and the richness of diversity.’’

Although Maori were represented on a council committee Nga Manu Ta iko this did not give them a voice when it came to making final decisions, committee chairwoman Alison Short said.

It was at this level the council needed further participation, Short said.

Every six years, all councils across New Zealand are required by the Local Electoral Act to consider Maori wards for electoral purposes.

The Manawatu District’s 12 marae notified the council in November that six voted in favour of Ma ori wards, four against and two abstained.

If a poll eventuated, Short hoped ratepayers would take the time to understand the issue and keep in mind the needs of minorities.

‘‘It makes me feel like Kate Sheppard. Most of [the people who vote] will be on the general roll. Ma ori will be outnumbered.’’

Manawatu mayor Helen Worboys said the process was ‘‘democracy in action’’ and allowed ratepayers to have a say in the running of their community.

Brash said the two councils didn’t undertake any public consultation before making their decisions.

‘‘We believe separate Maori wards have no place. It fractures the fabric of our society and will end up dividing neighbour from neighbour.’’

‘‘We can choose fear, uncertainty or the status quo. Or we can open our arms to co-operation, collaboration and the richness of diversity.’’ Hilary Humphrey, pro-ward councillor