Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announcement to introduce legislation on a four-year Parliamentary term, subject to a referendum. Video / Dean Purcell
A Hawke’s Bay campaign which started by hand-making heart-shaped signs supporting Māori wards has put about 1000 on fences around the region.
Napier man Neill Gordon, co-ordinator of the For Wards Hawke’s Bay campaign, said he didn’t realise the scale of how many people would want one.
“When people startedasking how much it would be for the hearts by the hundred, my wife spat the dummy and said we’d have to have them commercially printed.”
Gordon said the love for the signs has now gone nationwide, with hearts shipped or the artwork shared with Gisborne, Taranaki, Tauranga, Thames, Waikato, Feilding, Palmerston North and Nelson.
“It’s a hell of a problem to have, but we’ve just been swamped by a tsunami of aroha.
Their purpose is to provide specific democratic representation for Māori who otherwise may not have a voice in government.
Only those on the Māori Parliamentary electoral roll can vote for candidates standing in the Māori wards and constituencies, but anyone can stand as a councillor in a Māori ward.
A referendum on the future of Māori wards is happening alongside local council elections; voting papers are being sent out from September 9 and voting closes on October 11.
“It’s one-person one-vote, costs us nothing and means better decisions for everyone,” Gordon said of Māori wards.
“Fundamentally, democracy is about fair representation, inclusion, not exclusion, and Māori wards bring us together around the council table.”
The group has organised a public meeting called Let’s Talk Māori Wards at St Columba’s church, Taradale on Thursday September 11 from 7pm to 9pm.
Speakers will include Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst, Hawke’s Bay regional councillor Neil Kirton and Hastings councillor Heather Te Au-Skipworth.
