Council unanimously backs Te Pūao Māori Ward amid public support
Published on 07 August 2024
Today, in a meeting that saw a full public gallery, the Palmerston North City Council resolved to retain Te Pūao Māori Ward, which sees two of our 16 members elected by those on the Māori Electoral Roll. It also resolved to seek further information about the implications of refusing to hold a referendum alongside the 2025 local elections.
This decision comes amidst recent government legislation requiring councils to decide by 6 September 2024 whether to retain or disestablish their Māori ward/s. Where councils vote to retain, they are then required to hold a binding referendum alongside the 2025 local elections at their own cost.
The support for retaining Te Pūao Māori Ward was overwhelming, with a number of verbal submissions from community members who expressed sentiments like "we are a better place for it" and thanked the Council for its steadfast support of the current representative structure. Concerns were raised that without the ward, the community would lose mana and democratic representation, urging the Council not to revert to past arrangements.
Mayor Grant Smith highlighted Palmerston North's exemplary relationship with Māori and mana whenua Rangitāne, stating:
"Palmerston North has nothing to fear and carries on a fine tradition of Council working together with Māori for over 150 years. Our Māori Ward system works for us and our Te Pūao Māori Ward Deputy Mayor Debi Marshall-Lobb and Councillor Roly Fitzgerald have enriched our Council and community through their advice and service. Our relationship with Rangitāne is exemplary in the country. We're one of three out of 78 councils that have tangata whenua on our council crest, and one of the few cities to have a statue of an indigenous leader – Te Peeti Te Awe Awe, which was erected in 1907 in our city centre. We have a great partnership with Rangitāne o Manawatū, and we're so proud of this."
Elected members raised concerns about the process set by the Government, short timeframes which don’t allow for public consultation, concerns for community wellbeing, and misinformation.
Elected members then voted unanimously to retain the Māori ward. An additional amendment put by Councillor Naylor and seconded by Councillor Bowen was supported seeking further information on the implications of not proceeding with a binding referendum.
A report on the potential implications of refusing to hold a referendum will be presented at an upcoming Council meeting.
Our Council has historically emphasised its unwavering commitment to ensuring Māori voices continue to be heard. Earlier this year, Council endorsed its current representative structure and formally opposed the then proposed legislation, expressing its stance to Parliament and the Justice Select Committee.
We will continue to provide public updates throughout this process.