Rotorua's longest serving district councillor said he would oppose any move to set up a Maori ward in the Rotorua District.
Trevor Maxwell said Rotorua did not need to copy the New Plymouth District Council, which this week voted to set up a Maori ward for its local body election in 2016.
The move saw New Plymouth district councillor John McLeod resign his position forcing a byelection.
Mr McLeod said he could not work in an organisation that based its policies on ra27-09-2014 11:00:00ce, creed or religion.
The Rotorua District Council is also going through a Representation Review with the first steps of the review reported in the Rotorua Daily Post this month.
The council's Strategy and Partnerships Group manager Jean-Paul Gaston said the review would involve public consultation at a later date.
"Local authorities may resolve to establish Maori wards or constituencies under the Local Government Act.
"Maori wards have been reviewed over the years and to date no resolution has been made to introduce them," Mr Gaston said.
"If the council does decide to introduce them they need to make this decision before November 23."
Mr Maxwell said he believed Maori wards were needed in larger metropolitan areas like Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
"But, in Rotorua we have competent people who can stand up and be counted. I have always felt people should be elected on their own merits so we are there for all the people of the district, not just our own people."
Mr Maxwell said he would oppose any move to Maori wards.
"Over the years we have had very good Maori representation from people like Maureen Waaka, Bob Martin, Sir Peter Tapsell and Tania Tapsell, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, Charles Te Kowhai, Matt Tamehana, Selwyn Bennett and Bob Low.
"We can walk comfortably in both worlds," Mr Maxwell said.
He said the council also had the Te Arawa Standing Committee, which was currently being reviewed, as a voice for Maori within the council.
Local authorities are required to review their representation arrangements at least every six years.
The council last completed a review prior to the 2010 election.