Knowing the ability of this Labour Government to drive forth its policies one would have to ask will this be its biggest success or a failure such as KiwiBuild, Auckland Rail Link, and reducing child poverty.
(Abridged)
Mike Baker
Bethlehem
Māori ward referenda not a legal loophole
The author of the recent story, Tauranga Māori ward decision wins praise, is in my opinion, misinformed.
It was not a legal loophole that allowed voters to force binding referenda on decisions to introduce Māori wards.
Nor does this right only apply to decisions pertaining to Māori wards.
Two provisions in the Local Government Act 2002 empowered voters to challenge a council decision that changed the electoral system. One relates to the introduction of STV voting. Since single transferable voting changes the way the voting system operates, the veto-right safeguard was applied.
The other provision requiring this safeguard was the introduction of Māori wards. As only voters on the Māori roll can vote for candidates standing in the Māori wards, any council that establishes Māori wards must change the voting system by introducing the Māori electoral roll.
These two provisions were no legal loophole at all but were deliberately included in the 2002 act to safeguard the voting system and strengthen local democracy.
Susan Short
Auckland
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