‘No referendum can overturn council’ Defiant council stands firm on Māori wards

• Published date: 12 April 2024
• Publication title: Horowhenua Chronicle

It may also be undemocratic as councillors, elected by their communities, have established these wards in response to public feedback. So: democracy all around

Horowhenua’s Deputy Mayor David Allan did not mince words when asked for his view on this.

“No referendum can overturn a council decision on what wards we have,” said Allan.

“Nor can a referendum overturn the number of representatives we have, as long as we stay within the statistical limits.”

He said Māori Wards can only be overturned if you make it about race. “As a council we were 100 per cent in support of Māori wards and the public submissions on this decision were overwhelmingly in favour.”

He said the local district councillors treasure the input from their Māori ward colleagues. “At times they do challenge us, but their contribution to our decision-making process is huge and much appreciated.”

Claiming the establishment of Māori wards as undemocratic is untrue, he said. It is true that not every person in the district was personally asked for their opinion, but parliamentarians like ACT and NZ First do not do that either.

Councils present proposals to their communities and allow for feedback, which they must take into consideration.

ACT and NZ First are very much a minority in Parliament, but they seek to impose their views on the rest of us.

Councils did ask their communities the way they always consult their communities on decisions and used that...