Mayor's stand for iwi on right side of history

PERHAPS New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd should take it as a badge of honour that he has been vilified for his stand on Maori representation in local government.

The reception he received after advocating for Maori wards on the New Plymouth District Council has been so toxic that Mr Judd is not standing for re-election.

His decision received national attention after a piece by reporter Hadyn Jones on TV1 last week.

The broadcaster's story was thoughtful and informative. The mayor had changed his mind on an issue after reading and talking to people. Mr Judd also admitted to being racist in the interview. Most of us are biased in some way, but it takes courage to admit it and even more character to change.

There are some who argue that Mr Judd has jumped ahead of mainstream New Zealand. Most social movements do.

The abolition of apartheid, homosexual law reform, anti-war (from Vietnam to Iraq) campaigns, votes for women - the mainstream are often on the wrong side of history at the start of significant social reforms.

The broader question is how to increase Maori representation in decision-making under a system that was designed by others for the benefit of others. It may not be through Maori wards on council, though it seems to work in national politics.

But Maori do need more of a say at local level, not least because of their role laid down in law under the Treaty of Waitangi and the Resource Management Act. Having such huge responsibility can't come without representation at local council level, where much of this work is done.

Smart and constructive discussion of this issue has been moved forward by Andrew Judd's bold stance and Hadyn Jones' measured journalism.

Congratulations to them both.