Emotions run high at vote for Ma¯ori wards
The Hastings District Council has voted to implement Ma¯ ori wards in the 2022 elections .
Twelve councillors voted for the decision, one against and another who did not vote.
A packed council chamber at an extraordinary meeting yesterday afternoon was filled with obvious emotion.
‘‘We know this is an incredibly significant meeting for us and our people,’’ Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said.
Council chief executive Nigel Bickle said the council had received a ‘‘passionate response’’ from the community with 2000 submissions received just weeks after community consultation. Those in favour totalled 1575.
‘‘It’s 12 times the number of submissions we’ve received on the Long Term Plan,’’ Bickle said.
In total, 2089 responses were received with 76 per cent in support of establishing Ma¯ ori Wards and 24 per cent against.
Councillor Henare O’Keefe said he ‘‘felt moved to say the season is nigh’’ and the ‘‘seeds have been planted.’’
‘‘I’ve sat at this table for five terms and what an honour it’s been. Ma¯ ori have been crying for Ma¯ori wards on every level and every way. Ma¯ ori have screamed out from the rooftops. We want to be part of the decision-making, don’t fear us, embrace us. We will not fail you. Ma¯ ori will add value.’’
Councillor Peleti Oli said having a ‘‘Ma¯ ori voice at the table allows us to tell our story. Police 10-7 tells the wrong story’’.
The council’s electoral officer, Jackie Evans, said 75 per cent of the community were in favour of Ma¯ ori wards for 2022 and 25 per cent against after consultation which began in late April.
Councillor Kevin Watkins asked if council felt there had been enough time allowed for consultation as he felt there had not been enough.
Councillor Bayden Barber said Ma¯ ori had been waiting 181 years for a voice and it was ‘‘time to march together’’.
Deputy mayor Tania Kerr said it would be one of the most significant decisions she had ever been involved in in her 20 years of local government and she was ‘‘very proud’’ to be seconding the motion by the mayor.
‘‘To me, Ma¯ ori wards will benefit all of us – from water to the environment, housing and health,’’ Kerr said.
‘‘Today isn’t about process, today is about what is right and what is true for our future,’’ Hazlehurst said.
Earlier in the day a protest of about 200 people took place after the Napier City Council’s decision not to implement Ma¯ ori wards in time for next year’s local elections.
Led by Alayna Hokianga, the peaceful march started at the Soundshell on Marine Parade and ended at the Napier City council.
‘‘As we were walking we hit the wind, but as Ma¯ ori, that’s our atua speaking to us. Then it rained, and that was tears of our ancestors,’’ Hokianga said.
‘‘We’ve put in written submissions and they didn’t get us anywhere, so we spoke, we sang, we brought our babies, our teenagers, elders, mums and dads. It was a humbling experience to have cross generations.’’
Hokianga said both the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Napier City Council received the crowd.
‘‘They heard, they listened and it was an opportunity for our people to educate them about how we as Ma¯ ori consult.’’
Hokianga said she was ‘‘elated’’ with the Hastings District Council’s decision.