Council shows strong support for retaining Māori ward
Published on 04 September 2024
Whanganui District Council affirmed its decision to establish a Māori ward at a full council meeting on Tuesday, 3 September.
Under legislation introduced by the coalition government in May 2024, Whanganui’s elected representatives had the option of either reversing their October 2023 decision to bring in a Māori ward or affirming their decision to establish a Māori ward with the requirement to hold a referendum.
The majority of elected representatives affirmed the decision to introduce a Maori ward, with two councillors voting to reverse the decision.
Central government has said the decision on a Māori ward is next required to go out to the community via a binding referendum held during the 2025 council elections.
Most of Whanganui’s elected representatives voted to show their opposition to holding a binding referendum; two voted in support of it.
Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe said the council had already made a decision on a Māori ward and “I want to honour our local democracy… we decided as a collective that we would vote for Māori wards. And I'd rather do that, rather than be instructed by central government about what we can and can't do. And for me, that prevails."
Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe says if the community votes to retain a Māori ward, it would mean two of Whanganui’s 12 councillors would represent people of Māori descent and advocate for Māori perspectives while also representing the interests of the whole community.
“I’ve spoken to Mayors from around the country in places which already have Māori wards and the comments on them have been resoundingly positive. We are the only council across the wider region which doesn’t have Māori wards and they appear to be working well with all our neighbours,” Mayor Andrew says.
“They’ve said the level of representation under the Māori wards system adds considerable value, with deeper insights and different perspectives brought to the council table during decision-making.
“We live in a country with a bicultural foundation with Te Tiriti o Waitangi signed 184 years ago so it’s essential that the voices of both treaty partners are fairly represented at a local government level.”
Under a Māori ward system in Whanganui, people enrolled on the Māori electoral roll would vote for two candidates for the Māori ward and those on the general roll would vote for candidates standing for general wards. A ratio to population calculation in the Local Electoral Act determines the number of general and Māori ward seats.
Mayor Andrew says regardless of whether a Māori ward is introduced, the council will continue to consult and connect with Hapū, Iwi, Mana Whenua, Tangata Whenua, Māori individuals and Whānau.
“Our council has good existing relationships with Iwi and Hapū and we’re committed to developing how we engage and partner with Māori in line with Te Tiriti, guided by the values embedded in Whanganui’s unique Te Awa Tupua legislation.”
Council elections will be held from Monday, 9 September to Sunday, 6 October 2025 – as well as selecting a Mayor and councillors, people will vote to retain the Māori ward or reverse the decision. The result of the binding Māori ward referendum will take effect at the 2028 and 2031 local government elections.
How the councillors voted – Māori ward
Mayor Andrew Tripe, Deputy Mayor Helen Craig and Councillors Kate Joblin, Glenda Brown, Josh Chandulal-Mackay, Charlotte Melser, Jenny Duncan, Michael Law, Philippa Baker-Hogan, Ross Fallen and Peter Oskam affirmed the decision to introduce a Māori ward. Councillors Charlie Anderson and Rob Vinsen voted to reverse the decision.
How the councillors voted – binding referendum
Mayor Andrew Tripe and Councillors Kate Joblin, Glenda Brown, Josh Chandulal-Mackay, Charlotte Melser, Jenny Duncan, Michael Law, Philippa Baker-Hogan, Peter Oskam, Ross Fallen and Rob Vinsen voted to show their opposition to holding a binding referendum. Deputy Mayor Helen Craig and Councillor Charlie Anderson voted in favour of a referendum.