Letters to the editor: Maori wards, Mounties miss out on New Year

A reader asks: What do Mounties get for New Year's? Photo/file

Maori wards address bias

In my view, the claim by Margaret Murray-Benge (Letters, December 14), that in local council elections Maori are perfectly capable of being elected if they want to be, does not stand up to close examination. All over New Zealand, Maori communities are under-represented on local councils. The most likely explanation for this is that in elections people vote for candidates that are most like themselves. Eighty per cent of voters are non-Maori. They simply vote for candidates most like them, and these are not the Maori candidates. In my view, the electoral system we use is biased against Maori candidates. A Maori ward system simply removes the anti-Maori bias with no material difference to anybody. The fact that the Bay of Plenty Regional Council now has successful Maori wards illustrates this perfectly.
Peter Dey
Welcome Bay

Elected on merit

I read with interest the bio (News, December 30) on Colin Bidois, and he is clearly deserving of the honour he has received. One thing that stood out for me among his many achievements was being elected to three terms as a Manukau city councillor, clearly demonstrating that quality Maori candidates are perfectly capable of being elected on merit without the need to be the patronised with Maori wards.
Richard Prince
Welcome Bay

Mounties miss out

I enjoyed reading Tuesday's editorial by Sonya Bateson. From a Mountie's perspective, what was available to other citizens on New Year's Eve was even less than Sonya spoke of. Watching the fireworks from Pilot Bay was laughable - they hardly got high enough to be seen over the ships anchored at the port. Go to higher ground was suggested in a council letter. Mt Drury was fenced off. Why? Have a picnic on Mount Main Beach? All parking was fenced off. Why? The Mount is part of the city and before the fun police stepped in, was one of New Zealand's iconic holiday spots catering for all age groups. Not everyone wants to go to bed after the 9.30pm children's fireworks. Next year, we expect a fireworks display at midnight, bands, music, fun, and laughter. New Year celebrations should be a reflection of the past and of resolutions for the future.
Rosemary Malcolm
Mount Maunganui