He uingā mō ngā Pou Takiwā Māori
Māori wards consultation
Tihei Mauri Ora!
Kei aku taitai huanga o tēnei waka tapu o tātau,
Te Arawa waka, Te Arawa tangata,
Tēnā rā koutou, otirā tātau katoa.
By 21 May, Rotorua Lakes Council, and indeed all councils throughout the country, may decide whether to introduce Māori wards.
Government recently changed the Local Electoral Act, removing the ability of the community to demand a poll to overturn a council decision to introduce Māori wards. It has given councils until 21 May to decide if they want Māori wards introduced for the 2022 local body elections.
The number of members to be elected from Māori wards is calculated through a formula dependent on the total number of elected members; and the Māori and General electoral populations of the district.
If our council were to introduce Māori wards, under the current arrangements of 10 Rotorua Lakes Council councillors, there would be three Māori wards.
The final details of Māori wards would then be informed by a review of representation arrangements to be undertaken by the Council by 31 August 2021. This representation review will also determine the arrangements for boundaries and how many elected members are needed to govern Rotorua.
In early May, Te Tatau o Te Arawa will be recommending to council whether Māori wards should be introduced. Our recommendation will be based on what our people want.
The three options Te Tatau o Te Arawa is asking its people to consider are:
- Retain the status quo (Te Tatau o Te Arawa stays, and Māori wards are not introduced).
- Introduce Māori wards, and disestablish Te Tatau.
- Introduce Māori wards, and retain Te Tatau.
He aha te rerekētanga o ngā Pou Takiwā Māori
me Te Tatau o Te Arawa?
What’s the difference between Māori wards
& Te Tatau o Te Arawa?
Māori Wards and Te Tatau o Te Arawa are different models of Māori representation/partnership with Rotorua Lakes Council.
Te Tatau o Te Arawa was set-up under a Council policy decision to forge a partnership between Te Arawa and Council. Its 14 board members are Te Arawa, represent all sectors of Te Arawa, and are elected by Te Arawa whānui on the Te Arawa Lakes Trust iwi register. Te Tatau o Te Arawa is a separate entity (charitable trust), leads out operations, and has seats around council committee tables, ensuring Te Arawa input into council decision-making and processes.
Māori wards are established under a legislative framework, with representatives elected by those on the Māori electoral role. Anyone can stand for a Māori seat, whether they’re Māori or not, but only those on the Māori roll can vote. Those elected under the Māori ward model would be part of the Council governance body and sit around the Council table, representing all Māori in the district, including mātāwaka and the general constituency.
Kōrero mai! Have your say!
To enable Te Tatau o Te Arawa to make a recommendation to the Council by the end of April 2021, we intend to facilitate wānanga next month, or if you want to meet to discuss with a board member, let us know!
