Since February 1, when referenda on Maori wards were outlawed by the Labour Government, 20 councils are considering or resolving to establish segregated voting via Maori wards or constituencies for next year’s local body elections.

This is a submission against a proposal by the Taranaki Regional Council to set up a Maori constituency. There is no evidence that this is a step strongly desired by Maori roll voters. Sufficient opportunities for all citizens are available to contribute to decision-making processes. Maori constituencies and wards set up elsewhere have not increased participation by Maori voters. If the council wishes to test this option, the council should put the matter to a vote. The submission is on behalf of equality group Hobson’s Pledge, which was set up to debate such issues.

Signature collectors for petitions around the country for votes on proposed Maori wards are still needed in Taupo, Gisborne, South Taranaki, Northland, Whangarei, and Kaipara.

Surrendering to the demands of noisy protesters should make us all very afraid, Hobson’s Pledge spokesman Don Brash said today.

As many readers will know, on the last day of November the Stuff media group ran an apology to Maori New Zealanders on the front page of all their newspapers under the heading “We are sorry”.  They said that they had been racist, “contributing to stigma, marginalization and stereotypes against Maori”.

Even more Maori wards signature collectors are needed now that the Taupo District Council, the Gisborne District Council, the Ruapehu District Council and the South Taranaki District Council have proposed Maori wards.

Now is the time to send an email to the mayor and councillors on the Taupo District Council to ask them to vote against a proposal to introduce a Maori ward at an extraordinary council meeting tomorrow.

Stuff should refund money paid for an advert after the editor of the newspaper in which it appeared publicly criticised it, Hobson’s Pledge spokesperson Don Brash said today.

Three more Northland councils will vote in the next few days on whether to introduce Maori wards so now is the time for you to email councillors to explain why such wards are racist and not wanted.

The Ministry of Education has launched a wide-reaching programme called Te Hurihanganui which is presented as “anti-racism” but is actually anti-white.