A left-wing plot

The Taxpayers’ Union has criticised the Wellington City Council’s decision (11-3) to introduce unelected Ma¯ ori representatives who will have equivalent voting status to democratically elected councillors. “Given the enormous governance problems at the council, and their financial problems, it is astonishing that councillors are trying to introduce unelected iwi representatives who are not accountable to ratepayers or voters,” executive director Jordan Williams said. “This gerrymandering needs to be called out for what it is. Appointing iwi representatives is simply a backdoor method of getting more left-wing votes around the council table, leading to higher rates.”