Watch Live: Is it time for Māori constituencies for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council?
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is consulting with the community on whether to establish Māori constituencies before the 2022 elections.
Regional Councillors agreed in February to consult with the Hawke’s Bay community between March 22 and April 22. An online campaign will be followed by public hearings of submissions on May 3 and 4, before the Council makes a decision at its meeting on May 19.
In February, the Local Electoral (Māori wards and Māori constituencies) Amendment Act was passed. This removed the need for a binding referendum if 5 per cent of voters sign a petition as well as the ability for councils to initiate a binding poll.
This law change prompted the Regional Council to vote unanimously to undertake public consultation on this important issue.
The Regional Council needs to make a decision by May 21 to take advantage of a transition period afforded by the Local Electoral (Māori wards and Māori constituencies) Amendment Act. This will ensure that, if the Regional Council vote to establish Māori constituencies, they can be established before the next election.
Over one-quarter (27 per cent) of Hawke’s Bay’s population are of Māori descent. There are 11 iwi groups, 91 hapū and 79 marae throughout Hawke’s Bay – making a significant contribution to the region’s community, culture and economy, and as mana whenua and treaty partners.
Regional Council chief executive, James Palmer says the Regional Council has an obligation to enable Māori participation in its decision-making, embedded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) and the Local Government Act 2002.
“How this obligation is given effect is for the Council to decide. Traditionally, Local Government electoral arrangements have not included guaranteed proportional representation for Māori in council decision-making, in the way that is currently provided for in Parliament, so this is something for the community and our Council to contemplate, says Mr Palmer.
Establishing Māori constituencies would complement the Regional Council’s existing means to engage with Māori – including the Māori Committee and the Regional Planning Committee.
If established, only people enrolled on the Māori roll would be able to vote for a Māori constituency candidate and, likewise, only people on the general roll could vote for candidates from general constituencies. If Council voted to establish Māori seats, the next step would be a Representation Review to determine whether one or two Māori constituencies would be established.
The consultation document and submission form are available online. Submission forms can also be obtained by calling 06 835 9200.
