Ruth Gerzon
Te Tiriti Matters

With these elections we can all decide more than just who will be on our council. We will also have an opportunity to vote in a referendum to decide whether we keep the Māori Wards in our district.  

This topic brings up a wide range of views. Some people see Māori wards as an important step towards fairness and upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Others have concerns or unanswered questions.

A public meeting is being organised by Te Tiriti Matters, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to come together, learn more, and share their views and questions in a respectful environment.

This will be an opportunity to get clear and reliable information and hear from others in your community, whether or not you agree.

There will be a short introduction to Māori wards, how they work and what they offer. Then a panel will answer questions. Some panelists will have lived experience of Māori representation in local government, able to explain how Māori wards work in practice.

Whether you are supportive, unsure, or simply curious, we invite you to the meeting at REAP in Pyne Street on Sunday, September 14, 2-4pm.