Post by Kiwi Frontline on Jan 31, 2018 16:20:04 GMT 12
PETITION COULD OVERTURN KAIKOURA DISTRICT COUNCIL'S VOTE IN FAVOUR OF MAORI WARD
The Kaikōura District Council have voted to establish a Maori Ward at the next election but a lobby group said voters need to make their own decision.
Last November Kaikōura District Council voted unanimously in favour of establishing a Maori Ward for the 2019 and 2022 local body elections. It was the first council in the South Island to do so. Several councils in the North Island have voted for a Maori Ward, while others have voted against.
Residents who were enrolled at the last election could overturn the resolution if five per cent sign a petition by February 21 to demand a poll and request a referendum.
Rakautara woman Ngaio Te Ua who spoke at the meeting in November in support of the vote said she was proud of the council's mandate.
Don Brash one of the founders of Hobson's Pledge said the group was formed as a political party to try and reverse what they they saw as a very dangerous drift toward creating constitutional and political differences between New Zealanders based on the ethnicities of their ancestors.
"Hobson's Pledge is concerned whenever council's want to create political distinctions based on race," he said.
"Hobson's Pledge can't tell the people of Kaikōura how to react ... but we can encourage the voters in Kaikōura to make their own decision on this issue, and not leave it to councillors."
Brash said dividing the country on the basis of race was not conducive to long-term racial harmony, and a poll taken on the issue was the most democratic way to make the decision.
"Once separate wards are established for Maori they are likely to last a long time.
"Maori electorates were established in 1867, originally for five years, and are still with us more than 150 years later despite there not being the slightest need for such racially-based electorates today."......
www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/100948956/petition-could-overturn-kaikoura-district-councils-vote-in-favour-of-maori-ward
The Kaikōura District Council have voted to establish a Maori Ward at the next election but a lobby group said voters need to make their own decision.
Last November Kaikōura District Council voted unanimously in favour of establishing a Maori Ward for the 2019 and 2022 local body elections. It was the first council in the South Island to do so. Several councils in the North Island have voted for a Maori Ward, while others have voted against.
Residents who were enrolled at the last election could overturn the resolution if five per cent sign a petition by February 21 to demand a poll and request a referendum.
Rakautara woman Ngaio Te Ua who spoke at the meeting in November in support of the vote said she was proud of the council's mandate.
Don Brash one of the founders of Hobson's Pledge said the group was formed as a political party to try and reverse what they they saw as a very dangerous drift toward creating constitutional and political differences between New Zealanders based on the ethnicities of their ancestors.
"Hobson's Pledge is concerned whenever council's want to create political distinctions based on race," he said.
"Hobson's Pledge can't tell the people of Kaikōura how to react ... but we can encourage the voters in Kaikōura to make their own decision on this issue, and not leave it to councillors."
Brash said dividing the country on the basis of race was not conducive to long-term racial harmony, and a poll taken on the issue was the most democratic way to make the decision.
"Once separate wards are established for Maori they are likely to last a long time.
"Maori electorates were established in 1867, originally for five years, and are still with us more than 150 years later despite there not being the slightest need for such racially-based electorates today."......
www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/100948956/petition-could-overturn-kaikoura-district-councils-vote-in-favour-of-maori-ward