Bayden Barber: We don't need a referendum on Maori wards

Hastings District councillor Bayden Barber

Having recently been elected onto Hastings District Council, along with fellow councillors of Maori descent, Henare O'Keefe, Jacoby Poulain, and Adrienne Pierce, I can attest to the fact that the best way to get Maori representation in local government is for Maori to get out and vote (see my opinion piece 23 Sep 2016).

Holding a referendum on Maori Wards is a waste of time and money because the numbers simply don't stack up.

The Hastings population is around 25% Maori and historically the majority do not vote. But even if all eligible Maori did vote, Maori wards would still likely lose because the majority of the non-Maori population would vote against it.

An easy way to test this would be to undertake a simple poll before going through with a full referendum.

The big question however is what would the human cost be? Holding a vote on Maori representation would divide the community on racial grounds.

It is an issue that is highly emotive and would likely cause a division within our community at a time when unity and solidarity is needed.

The referendum for Maori Wards in New Plymouth split that community apart and Hastings would be no different.

My view is that this referendum is a distraction from the big issues that face our community.

We the people of Hastings District have just endured the worst public water contamination event in recent memory resulting in over 5000 people affected by a gastro outbreak.

Our water infrastructure has struggled to cope with the summer demand resulting in conservation measures that have been a major inconvenience to local residents. My home of Waimarama had a 'boil water' notice placed upon us only a few weeks ago due to unsafe test results.

As has been recently reported, significant investment is needed to bring our existing bores up to the required drinking standards and this is without yet having investigated what it could cost to extract water from new sources.

Water is the issue at the forefront but there are also rates rises, housing, economic development, the CBD etc. - all very important issues for our community.

My point is, let's focus on the big issues that affect you and I and not be hoodwinked into a referendum that would add no value to the district and the challenges we are facing.

Bayden Barber is a Hastings District councillor and is chair of Health Hawke's Bay.