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Waipā district councillors and staff stand for the closing karakia and waiata after voting to establish Waipā’s first Māori ward.
Waipā district councillors were finally able to show their hand when they voted “yes” to setting up a Māori ward for the 2022 election. Mayor Jim Mylchreest had earlier not wanted to suggest which way councillors might vote because he said it would jeopardise the legislative process. But when the council met on Wednesday to review public feedback and hear final submissions, it was clear how the mayor wanted the vote to go. “From my perspective, despite any Treaty or legal obligation, it’s just common sense. To be in 2021 and not have representation of our whole community around the table is just crazy.
“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.