Separatism is gaining traction within local government so Hobson’s Pledge has launched a campaign to urge voters to ascertain candidates’ views before voting in the upcoming elections.

Thank you for the support that has flooded in since Wednesday when the New Zealand Maori Council called for an investigation into Hobson’s Pledge by the Human Rights Commission.

Talk of a referendum on Maori seats was revived, briefly, last week when Acting Prime Minister and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters called for a two-pronged referendum on whether they should be entrenched or should go altogether.

By Michael Coote

Over recent years the people of New Zealand have repeatedly spoken through binding polls held under the auspices of the Local Electoral Act 2001 (LEA, see link appendix 1) concerning establishment of separate Maori representation in their local governments. As of May 19, 2018, results are in for no fewer than five LEA binding polls, wherein local electors decisively vetoed Maori wards that elected representatives on their local councils tried to foist upon them.

We posted full-page adverts this week to advertise the fact that claimed Treaty partnership between the Crown and “Maori” is constitutionally impossible. The adverts were prompted by meetings being conducted by Crown-Maori Relations Minister Kelvin Davis, often at private maraes.

The recently released referendum results for the five councils that decided to introduce Maori wards against the wishes of their local electors showed, in each case, that the public is opposed to race-based democracy.

This page lists Local Body Councillors who have voted in favour of separate Maori wards. Please contact us if you can assist with additional information or wish to have any details corrected.

AUCKLAND

Auckland Council

The Council has a standing Independent Maori Statutory Board which promotes Maori issues in Auckland.

The Council has voted to seek a law change to introduce a Maori ward. Separate legislation would avoid the provisions of the Local Electoral Act allowing a poll of electors to decide the issue.

Vote September 2017: 10 to 5 in principle in favour of a Maori ward. 

In favour of separate Maori wards: 

Phil GOFF
Cathy CASEY
Efeso COLLINS
Chris DARBY
Alf FILIPAINA
Richard HILLS
Penny HULSE
Mike LEE
John WALKER
John WATSON

WAIKATO

South Waikato District Council

Vote 23 November 2017: AGAINST separate Maori representation

HAWKE'S BAY

Hawke's Bay Regional Council

The Council has a standing Maori Committee as well as 50: 50 co-governance of the Regional Planning Committee with iwi appointees enjoying full voting rights

Vote 15 November 2017: 5 to 4 AGAINST separate Maori representation

In favour of separate Maori wards: 

Rex GRAHAM (Chairman)
Neil KIRTON
Paul BAILEY
Rick BARKER

Napier City Council 

Vote 8th November 2017: 12 to 1 AGAINST separate Maori representation

In favour of separate Maori wards:

Maxine BOAG

MANAWATU

Palmerston North City Council

Vote November 2017: Voted 11 to 4 in FAVOUR of separate Maori representation

In favour of separate Maori wards:

Tangi UTIKERE
Aleisha RUTHERFORD
Brent BARRETT
Duncan MCCANN
Gabrielle BUNDY-COOKE
Jim JEFFERIES
Lew FINDLAY
Lorna JOHNSON
Rachel BOWEN
Susan BATY
Vaughan DENNISON

Manawatu District Council

Vote November 2017: Voted 6 to 4 in FAVOUR of separate Maori representation (2 abstentions)

In favour of separate Maori wards:

Helen WORBOYS
Alison SHORT
Hilary HUMPHREY

BAY OF PLENTY

Western Bay of Plenty District Council

Vote November 2017: Voted 9 to 3 in FAVOUR of separate Maori representation 

In favour of separate Maori wards:

Garry WEBBER
David MARSHALL
Peter MACKAY
Mike WILLIAMS
Mark DEAN
John PALMER
Don THWAITES
Kevin MARSH
John SCRIMGEOUR

KAIKOURA DISTRICT COUNCIL

In November 2017 Kaikoura District Council voted unanimously to create a Maori ward, a decision supported by the local runanga.

Winston GRAY
Julie HOWDEN
Craig MACKLE
Tony BLUNT
Lisa BOND
Celeste HARNETT
Derrick MILLTON
Neil PABLECHEQUE

Maori wards became an issue of national significance over the past week after five districts voted against them and while a handful of politicians said they want to change the law to outlaw such referenda.

Politicians and media should respect the substantial votes against Maori wards in four districts, Hobson’s Pledge spokesman Don Brash said today.

We’re into the last week of the Maori wards debate and what have we learned?

1.Only 55 percent of Maori voters are on the Maori roll, which means that 45 percent of Maori voters would vote on the general roll in council elections.