The historic vote follows a three-week public engagement campaign which indicated overwhelming support for Māori wards in Hamilton. More than 990 submissions were received by the council, with 81 per cent of submitters backing a call for change. Kelly Hodel/Stuff Hamilton City councillors perform a waiata following a vote to establish Māori wards in the city. The vote to establish Māori wards now triggers a wider representation review which will determine the future configuration of the council’s political wing. It’s expected Hamilton will get two Māori wards based on the city’s population. The new wards must remain in place for at least two terms.