Letters to the editor: A bit of democracy has died

A reader asks how proposed Māori wards would work. Photo / File

With Labour being able to govern alone is this an indication of the unbridled power it now has whereby it can change the rules without prior knowledge in regard to issues such as Māori ward changes (News, February 2).

Labour did not campaign, during the 2020 election, stating that this was what it intended to do should it win the election.

But following nearly 5000 Tauranga residents signing a petition seeking a referendum on the matter, the Government has decided that the opportunity to discuss the issue further will be removed from the electorate.

This is not what I expected from the self-proclaimed most open, honest and transparent government ever and is, in my view, an indication that a little bit of the democratic process died and the transparency of this Government also took a major hit.

I am disappointed and, in my view, it does not bode well that this Government will not make other arbitrary actions in the future that further impact on our democratic process.

Mike Baker
Bethlehem

What else is hidden?

So Labour wasn't game to show its support for disestablishing Māori ward polls in its election manifesto. What else has it got hidden?

Before the city council goes out of existence I would like the councillors to answer questions relating to how a Māori ward would fit in.

Will there be one more councillor? Will the current Māori appointments be reduced to compensate? Should Tauranga be considering abolishing wards and voting for the 12 best people?

Māori is said to be 20 per cent of the population so that way they could get two or three council seats.

I would probably vote for Māori wards if I knew the whole scenario, however, I still have a preference for all 12 or so candidates being elected at large. (Abridged)

Bill Capamagian
Tauranga

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