Waikato Regional Council has moved to clarify the issue of public submissions on Maori seats which are being introduced at next year's local body elections.
A regional council spokesperson says a press advertisement opposing Maori seats could be taken as implying that people have till July 18 to object to the Maori seats being introduced next year. A range of objections over the seats have subsequently been received by the council.
However, the council spokesperson advises that it formally decided last year that the Maori seats are definitely going ahead for the 2013 elections. No valid request for a poll was received in time to influence that decision.
What the public can submit on by July 18, regarding next year's elections, are the constituency boundaries for general and Maori seats.