In 1980 freshly trained health inspector Garry Dyet joined the staff at Waipā County Council, little knowing he wouldn’t walk out of the building for the.
“We have received a lot of public feedback and our responsibility is to consider it all and on May 19, that’s when we can make a decision.” He said councils in the past had been caught out by councillors predetermining the outcome of an important decision. Among those to speak to the hui was Dale-Maree Morgan, from Te Awamutu, who said she was registered on the Māori electoral roll and wanted a chance to elect a Māori councillor on her local council.
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Dale-Maree Morgan, from Te Awamutu, says Māori knowledge and perspective are beneficial when councils consider important issues such as land use, conservation and climate change.