Have your say on Māori Wards

The previous Government attempted to hijack local democracy by letting politicians set the rules of the game when it comes to Māori wards. Nanaia Mahuta removed the ability of local ratepayers to force Councils to hold a binding referendum on Māori wards, allowing them to be implemented without a democratic mandate from the local community.

This is in stark contrast to the long-standing convention that electors can vote on, and veto, fundamental changes to local voting systems.

The final decision makers on local government electoral rules should be local people, not politicians.

The Government's new Local Government Amendment Bill will restore local democratic decision making and allow residents and ratepayers to voice their view via a referendum.

Submissions close at 11:59 Wednesday 29 May 2024

Send through your submission in favour of the Bill below (you can customise our suggested wording below).

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Dear Committee Secretariat,

I am writing to submit in favour of the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill.
					
This bill restores local democratic decision making that was stripped away by the previous Government. That change allowed politicians to modify the electoral system without any democratic mandate from voters.
					
It is tradition and convention that electors can vote on, and veto, fundamental changes to local voting systems. For example, voters can approve or veto any change from an FPP voting system to an STV one. The previous Government’s decision to selectively overturn this convention in the specific case of Māori seats cannot be justified on principle.
					
It is simply not right that politicians should be able to set the rules for how they themselves are elected – that should be a right exercised by every one of us on equal terms.
					
I know you have heard from a number of mayors and councillors who are of the absurd view that allowing local voters to have a referendum on Māori Wards takes decision making away from local communities. You should reject this ridiculous argument, allowing local residents and ratepayers to voice their view via a referendum is the closest thing to localism.
					
The final decision makers for local government electoral rules should be made by local residents, not politicians.
					
Thank you for taking the time to consider this submission.

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