Dumping Māori ward early could cost Kaipara $20,000 more than waiting for election poll

Monday, 5 August 2024

It could cost ratepayers in Kaipara up to $25,000 if their council decides to scrap its Māori ward at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday.

The Government passed legislation last week forcing councils to either vote to ditch the Māori wards themselves from the next election, or put them to a binding poll.

Kaipara District mayor Craig Jepson has previously said he wanted his council’s Māori ward gone before the next election.

A rapid-fire decision on the future of Kaipara’s Māori ward would cost tens of thousands more for ratepayers, a report to councillors has revealed.

Kaipara District Council will hold an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday to decide whether to retain or disestablish its Te Moananui o Kaipara Māori Ward by September 6 this year.

Mayor Craig Jepson sought a meeting in a letter to council chief executive Jason Marris on August 1, two days after the Government passed legislation to repeal law that made it easier for councils to establish Māori wards.

Under the new law, councils have until September 6 to decide whether to drop their Māori wards before the 2025 elections. If not, a binding referendum on their future must be held alongside the election.

Read this story in te reo Māori and English here. / Pānuitia_ tēnei i te reo Māori me te reo Pākehā ki konei._

A staff report to councillors for the meeting said the cost to retain Māori wards and hold a poll would be about $5000 plus GST.

However, should the council vote to get rid of the wards, it would need to undertake a representation review expected to cost about $25,000 plus GST in total.

The report said getting rid of the ward may be “less divisive for certain parts of the community” but it could negatively affect the council’s relationship with iwi and Māori in the community.

Another potential downside was “negative public perception” towards additional spending during times of other budget cuts, the report said.

It could be seen as inconsistent with the council’s legal obligations to boost Māori participation in decision-making, and support community diversity.

The report said keeping Māori wards would also give the community a chance to have a say through a poll.

Dropping the ward, however, would allow the council to update its representation arrangements with the latest data, the report said.

Iwi Te-Uri-O-Hau are expected to present at the meeting.

Jepson has been vocally opposed to the idea of Māori wards.

In late 2020, he campaigned for a public poll on the council’s decision to establish Kaipara’s Māori ward, presenting a petition from 8.8% of registered electors calling for this to be taken up with council.

Last week he told Stuff he was pleased with the move to reintroduce referendums to Māori wards, he has also stated voting should be about having one person one vote, rather than special council wards based on race, gender or any other aspect.

Māori ward voters do not get any more votes than anyone else.

The Kaipara Māori ward seat is currently held by Councillor Pera Paniora.