Let’s kōrero about Māori wards!
What does the Local Government Act and other legislation require?
The Local Government Act (LGA) and other legislation is how central government requires Councils to recognise and respect Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. This means local government acknowledges the unique perspective of Māori on decisions that relate to people, land, assets, and resources.
Specifically, the LGA requires Councils to provide opportunities for Māori to contribute to the decision-making process and consider ways to enhance Māori capacity to contribute to decision-making.
The Local Electoral Act requires Councils to enable fair and effective representation for individuals and communities. It is up to each council to choose the most appropriate and effective form of Māori representation for their population - taking into account the needs and preferences of their Māori partners and the wider community.
Simply, under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Local Government Act and other legislation, Councils are required to provide opportunities for Māori to contribute to decision-making processes, as well as other obligations. This is in recognition of Māori as tangata whenua (indigenous people) of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Crown’s partner in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.