Law change for Maori wards

Wellington: The Government will abolish a law that allows local referendums to veto decisions by councils to establish Maori wards.

The move will be made in time for 2022 local body elections, and means decisions made by nine councils to establish Maori wards for that election cannot be overturned by local voters.

The councils are the Kaipara District

Council, Gisborne District Council, New Plymouth District Council, Northland Regional Council, Ruapehu District Council, South Taranaki District Council, Taupo District Council, Tauranga District Council, and Whangarei District Council.

The only way Maori wards will not be established for 2022 in those areas is if any of the councils themselves resolve to undo their decision. — RNZ