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Nelson Council decision a step towards fairer representation
Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said the decision by the Nelson City Council to create a Māori ward for the next local elections is a milestone in ensuring fair representation in local government.
He said today: “Nelson councillors are to be commended for deciding their city should be the first in the South Island to provide for direct Māori representation.”
The Commission published a report on Māori representation in local government last year, which urged councils to consider the positive experience of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, which has had Māori seats for the past seven years.
Mr de Bres said all councils had the ability to establish Māori seats under the Local Electoral Act. “The introduction of Māori seats had been transformative in the relationship between the regional council and Maori.”
“It’s a decision in favour of fairness. Wards and constituencies are based on the Māori electoral roll, and maintain the principle of one person one vote. It offers Māori an option in local government that is well-established in our national Parliament,” he said.
Mr de Bres said as an issue of fairness it was important that the majority should ensure it listened to the minority. In the case of Māori seats, he had asked councils to canvass iwi and hapu for their views on the option. If they supported it, then the council should enable it to happen. In a number of cases this year, councils had rejected the option despite Māori support, or determined that it should be decided by a poll of all electors. The power of the majority was exercised against the minority.
Nelson city is the third council in New Zealand and the first in the South Island to establish a Māori ward. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has three Māori seats. The Waikato Regional Council has recently voted to put in place two Māori wards for the next election. Some councils are yet to decide, but the deadline for a decision for the 2013 local government elections is 23 November.