DEMOCRACY NORTHLAND

Some are saying this issue is about racism, when in fact it’s about democracy.

Three of Northland’s four councils are proposing to introduce Maori wards (or constituencies): The Northland Regional Council (NRC), the Whangarei District Council (WDC), and the Kaipara District Council (KDC). These councils made that decision without consulting the community at large and in fact voted against doing so.

Introducing race-based wards would be a significant change to our local democracy. It would divide the council by race. Race will determine who you can and can’t vote for depending on whether you are on the Maori or General roll.

All we are asking is that the public sign our petition calling on the council to hold a poll (binding referendum) on this issue. It will then be up to the community to have a debate on the merits or otherwise of race-based wards.

There are only three local authorities in New Zealand that currently have race based representation. In many more cases a council decision to have race based seats has been over-turned after councillors were forced to hold a binding referendum.