Wairarapa's first Māori wards were welcomed on Thursday with waiata and haka. Nelson Rangi, chair at Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, and Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson after the vote to establish Māori wards in the district. Photo: LDR / Wairarapa Times-Age / Marcus Anselm A packed council chambers saw Masterton councillors usher in a review which should lead to at least one Māori ward in the region for next year's elections. The proposal to establish Māori wards passed 10 votes to one at an extraordinary council meeting at Waiata House. The move to establish the wards had support from all four local iwi entities - Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki Nui ā Rua Trust, Rangitāne o Wairarapa, and Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā Trust. Iwi representatives were in attendance.