FROM THE NEWS DESK

A few weeks ago I interviewed Tipa Mahuta about the pros and cons of establishing Ma¯ori seats on councils. Tipa is one of two people on the Waikato Regional Council representing wards introduced about six years ago for Ma¯ori. It comes as most councils in the Waikato review their representation model and decide whether they want to introduce Ma¯ori wards for the next local government election. MatamataPiako District Council, like Waipa, Waikato and Hamilton, has decided against the move. The mayor is worried it could divide the community. Tipa says it could actually bring the two parties together. But people are afraid of exploring something new, something that they don’t understand. So the status quo remains. Ma¯ori want to engage with councils - as is required under manyRMArules and regulations - but there’s no one there, or brave enough, to make that connection. Bay of Plenty Regional Council also has Ma¯ori wards and the Wairoa District Council in Hawke’s Bay is looking to set up Ma¯ori wards in 2019.

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