Post by Kiwi Frontline on Jan 12, 2018 16:33:45 GMT 12
PETITION LAUNCHED OVER WHAKATĀNE MĀORI WARD
The establishment of a Māori ward on the Whakatāne District Council has sparked fierce debate in the town.
It follows a six to five vote in favour of Māori wards by councillors last year.
Māori make up 43 percent of the Whakatāne population, and many residents, including local iwi, believe there should be a designated Māori seat at the decision-making table.
But not everyone agrees, including lobbying group Hobson's Pledge, who have launched a petition demanding a referendum.
Former councillor David Dowd has signed the petition and said Māori wards should go to a public vote.
"A six to five majority was not the way to make this decision. We had a ... referendum on the subject about 10 years ago, 70 percent of voters then opposed the formation of Māori wards.
"It's simply about democracy."
The push for a referendum has been met with fierce opposition.
A social media campaign led by Toni Boynton is encouraging people to post images of themselves holding signs backing Māori wards.....
www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/347960/we-ve-definitely-got-a-lack-of-maori-representation
The establishment of a Māori ward on the Whakatāne District Council has sparked fierce debate in the town.
It follows a six to five vote in favour of Māori wards by councillors last year.
Māori make up 43 percent of the Whakatāne population, and many residents, including local iwi, believe there should be a designated Māori seat at the decision-making table.
But not everyone agrees, including lobbying group Hobson's Pledge, who have launched a petition demanding a referendum.
Former councillor David Dowd has signed the petition and said Māori wards should go to a public vote.
"A six to five majority was not the way to make this decision. We had a ... referendum on the subject about 10 years ago, 70 percent of voters then opposed the formation of Māori wards.
"It's simply about democracy."
The push for a referendum has been met with fierce opposition.
A social media campaign led by Toni Boynton is encouraging people to post images of themselves holding signs backing Māori wards.....
www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/347960/we-ve-definitely-got-a-lack-of-maori-representation