FROM THE NEWS DESK

Matamata-Piako District Council has joined a growing list of councils too scared to introduce Ma¯ori wards to its representation model for elected members. Recently, Waipa District Council decided against introducing Ma¯ori wards but instead ordered up a report on how it could better engage Ma¯ori and the wider community. Waikato district and Hamilton city councils had made similar decisions. Waikato Regional Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council have Ma¯ori seats and the Wairoa District Council, in Hawke’s Bay, is set to establish them from 2019. There is a common theme among the reasons given for the ‘‘no’’ vote, which included it would divide a community, the costs, and anyone could contest general wards of the council. While the reasons against Ma¯ori seats are continually paraded, no one seems to have explored what value having Ma¯ori seats would provide the community. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed 177 years ago but it appears we are still no closer to coming together as partners.

Lawrence Gullery MATAMATA CHRONICLE: (07) 888 7011 News Director: Lawrence Gullery, 027 839 6388, lawrence.gullery@fairfaxmedia.co.nz AREA SALES MANAGER: Antonio Ganz, 027 204 2920, antonio.ganz@fairfaxmedia.co.nz ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Janine Barrett, 027 404 9073 janine.barrett@fairfaxmedia.co.nz REPORTERS: Rexine Hawes, (07) 888 7011, rexine.hawes@fairfaxmedia.co.nz and Mike Bain, (07) 827 3840, mike.bain@fairfaxmedia.co.nz CLASSIFIEDS: lynda.mcrae@fairfaxmedia.co.nz (deadline 3pm Monday) DISPLAY BOOKING DEADLINE: 3pm Thursday DIGITAL EDITION: matamatachronicle.co.nz ADDRESS: 2 Tainui St, PO Box 148, Matamata 10,425 AUDITED CIRCULATION (ABC for 12 mths to 31 Dec 15).