2 x Articles 25/7/20 - Matamata-Piako, Southern Wairarapa

[Kiwi Frontline]

MATAMATA-PIAKO COUNCIL STRENGTHENS IWI RELATIONSHIP AFTER 'TRAILING BEHIND'

Matamata-Piako Council has taken what local iwi are hoping is a step in the right direction, breaking down barriers between tangata whenua and Council.

At a Te Manawhenua Forum, Matamata-Piako District Council was confronted by strong words from a Ngāti Rahiri-Tumutumu woman, asking for change and an equal partnership between iwi and Council.

“I think it’s important that we do engage with iwi and build a strong relationship. There’s always room for improvement,” Tanner said......

www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/300056927/matamatapiako-council-strengthens-iwi-relationship-after-trailing-behind

[Kiwi Frontline]

SOUTH WAIRARAPA DISTRICT COUNCIL HAS VOTED TO DELAY ITS MĀORI WARD DECISION

South Wairarapa’s political landscape will likely stay as it is until the 2025 local council elections.​​

They voted against proposing changes to the district’s electoral structure until the next triennium.​​ This means the possibility of a Māori ward, boundary changes, and a change in voting systems will have to wait for another election cycle.​.....

www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/300064137/south-wairarapa-district-council-has-voted-to-delay-its-mori-ward-decision