D Dawson

It has become abundantly clear to most readers that the Beacon supports and promotes Māori wards.

Māori wards were introduced in 2021 illegally and undemocratically by the Labour coalition government  without holding a referendum and was heavily promoted by the Beacon at the time saying that the majority of people wanted them when no one was given the chance to vote on this issue at the time.

I believe this was more propaganda put out by The Beacon to support Māori wards.  I believe it is not the job of The Beacon to promote Māori wards, period.    Māori are already well represented on council considering the number of Māori who live in the area. They have had every opportunity to vote Māori in on the general wards people like Andrew Iles. Even Toi Iti has decided it is better for Māori to be voted in on the general ward to promote Māori concerns.

We do not have separate wards for Dutch, German, Asian, or Indian people so why are some people promoting separatism?    I believe we should all be represented as one people -   New ZeaIanders.

It does not matter whether you are a Māori or non-Māori councillor,  you have been voted in to represent and advocate for all of your community  not just  Māori.

A recent survey said only   32 percent of New Zealanders trusted the news media. The New Zealand media does not speak for all New Zealanders. Māori already have many seats at the table.

Vote no to Māori wards.

The editor responds:

Despite being a long-time Beacon reader and letter writer, Mr Dawson may not understand the difference between “reporting on” and “promoting”. The Beacon reports on what is happening in its community, which includes any newsworthy activity around Māori wards. We do so in an unbiased way. As an organisation, we have no opinion on the issue, but it is our job to report on other’s views. If Mr Dawson wishes to cycle 900 kilometres to Parliament to promote his opposition to Māori wards, we would certainly “report” on it.