One of the country's largest councils will this month consider whether to establish Maori wards.
Manukau City Council, which represents 328,968 people, will look at the issue when it meets on September 25, after its Te Tiriti o Waitangi committee recommended the council support the introduction of Maori
wards.
It's an option which has had slow uptake around the country. Only Environment Bay of Plenty has implemented the ward system since 2001 when the Local Electoral Act paved the way for change.
For committee chairman Alf Filipaina the change would not be before time. He said there were 47,436 Maori in the city but they had been sorely under-represented at council level for years. The ward system was a direct way of dealing with the problem.
"I am a supporter because it addresses representation. I also believe we have obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.
"It can only be good for us." Questions will also have to be asked about the future of the Tiriti o Waitangi committee if the council supports the plan, Mr Filipaina said. There would be groups who wanted the committee to remain so that Maori could have several links to the council while others would support its disestablishment if tangata whenua wards went ahead.
"That's a debate to be had," he said.
The formula to establish wards takes into account the number in the Maori electoral population, total voters and the total numbers of councillors, excluding the mayor. Using it would see two new members within the existing number of 17 seats.
If the council does agree to wards it must do so by November 23 so that arrangements can be put in place for the 2010 local body elections.
But residents have the right to demand a poll on the issue, which could cost ratepayers $300,000. Before that could occur, 5 per cent of electors would have to petition the council.
Any implementation of Maori wards could be superseded by the outcome of the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance.
