Ma¯ori Warddecision petitioned

A petition handed into the Kaiko¯ura District Council last Wednesday could overturn the council’s vote in favour of a Ma¯ori ward.

Last November Kaiko¯ura District Council voted unanimously in favour of establishing a Ma¯ori ward for the 2019 and 2022 local body elections.

A campaign, supported by lobby group, Hobson’s Choice, opposed the decision to guarantee Ma¯ori seats and has succeeded in forcing a district-wide poll on the matter.

Lead petitioner Mike Butler from Hawke’s Bay said a petition seeking a public vote whether to have a Ma¯ori Ward was handed to council last Wednesday.

Residents who were enrolled at the last election could overturn the council resolution if five per cent signed a petition by February 21 to demand a poll and request a referendum.

‘‘We needed 300 signatures for a vote and we got 373 signatures,’’ he said.

Hobson’s Pledge lobby group said voters needed to make their own decision about establishing a Ma¯ori Ward.

Founding member Don Brash said Hobson’s Pledge was formed to try and reverse what they saw as a very dangerous drift toward creating constitutional and political differences between New Zealanders’ based on the ethnicities of their ancestors.

Butler, who is from Hawke’s Bay said‘‘It’s over to the people of Kaiko¯ura to decide whether it’s a good idea, or whether it’s not a good idea and vote accordingly.’’

‘‘We’ve found people have an interest in voting on a say in the matter, and say it’s an issue bigger than a handful of 10 to 15 councillors to decide, and if there’s a resounding majority for a Ma¯ori ward there’s absolutely no question about it, it’s what everyone wants.

‘‘If it has been pushed by just the council there’s no evidence of support and it will always be contentious.’’