Māori wards supporter Buddy Mikaere. Photo / File
A petition to hold a public referendum on the introduction of Māori wards just reached the numbers it needed but could now be meaningless if a new law is rushed in.
Yesterday Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced a law that allows local referendum to veto decisions by councils to establish Māori wards would be abolished.
The announcement came just days after a petition aimed at overturning a decision to establish a Māori ward in Tauranga gained the numbers it needed.
Māori ward supporters have welcomed the announcement but one of the petition backers says they will not back down.
In August, the Tauranga City Council voted 6-4 to establish a Māori ward before the next council election in 2022.
A group of Tauranga residents started a petition for a public vote on the issue and began collecting signatures in October.
On Friday electoral returning officer Warwick Lampp confirmed the petition had gained enough valid signatures to prompt the poll.
The current legislation allowing the petition for public vote still stands meaning a vote could go ahead. But if the bill passes before the vote is finalised, it could prove meaningless.
The law is expected to be abolished before the 2022 election meaning the only way Māori wards will not be established for 2022 in affected areas is if the council itself resolves to undo its decision.
Māori wards supporter Buddy Mikaere welcomed the announcement.
"The tide is going out now and it's going in our favour."
Mikaere told the Bay of Plenty Times he was pleased by the "amazing" announcement.
"Not just for myself and Tauranga but for all those supporters who have been behind us in the campaign.
"We're happy as a whole for all other councils around the country who've made the call."
He said the announcement would mean Māori would start having proper representation of Māori issues in local government.
"That's a huge step forward.
But Margaret Murray-Benge, a Western Bay of Plenty District Councillor who was among those backing the poll, said she would not back down.
"It's an ongoing issue and I am so disappointed the Government thinks it can walk over a community decision to challenge its council."
Murray-Benge believed the referendum would need to still be held in Tauranga as the petition had reached the number it needed.
"We'll take a hikoi to Wellington if we have to. I'm certainly not backing down."
The estimated cost for a standalone poll is about $220,000.
Acting Tauranga mayor Tina Salisbury welcomed the announcement and said the current process for introducing wards was "cumbersome" and not usually effective.
She said introducing Māori wards was a good start but she believed more could be done to improve Māori representation.
"I believe when Māori sit at the table, all people are represented through their world view. We all benefit from their unique world view.
"To me it's about equity more than equality ... This is one small way to step towards equity."
Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi chairman Charlie Tawhiao said he welcomed the amendment bill which had been talked about for many years.
"I'm surprised it has taken this long ... While there may be an outcry from some people, it will help to level the field of democracy and make it more of a level playing field for everyone who wishes to stand for council. That's what democracy is about."
Te Taru White, who holds a Māori ward seat on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, said the announcement was a positive one and having a Māori ward worked well in the regional council.
"I do believe, in my experience, we participate fully in the decisions and articulate a Māori worldview. I think that's healthy.
"It makes a huge difference in the sense that a voice that's not really been included in a lot of local council decisions for Māori and which have implications for Māori. You're getting that voice around the table."
In 2017, the Western Bay of Plenty District Council voted 9-3 for Māori wards but a petition that prompted a $70,000 binding poll saw the vote thrown out.
Western Bay mayor Garry Webber said the Government announcement was "entirely appropriate".
"On the basis that you either have provisions for polls in all cases or no cases. It reflects we live in a representative democracy and it's appropriate councils have the ability to create wards which reflect the true community of interests."
Following the 2017 decision, the council has to wait six years before the topic can come up for review again.
Legislative reform to Māori wards processes would be passed in two stages over the next three years, Mahuta said.
The first stage would make immediate changes to establish transitional measures for the 2022 local elections.
The second stage would develop a permanent mechanism for local authorities to consider the establishment of Māori wards and constituencies.
The councils directly affected by the announcement are the Kaipara District Council, the Gisborne District Council, the New Plymouth District Council, the Northland Regional Council, the Ruapehu District Council, the South Taranaki District Council, the Taupo District Council, the Tauranga District Council, and the Whangarei District Council.
Taupo mayor David Trewavas said the petition hadn't been finalised in the city and he assumed would not be needed now.
He said the majority of the council had supported the call for wards.
"It's reflective of who we are how we operate and it's advantageous for everyone.
"I understand both sides of the argument but we move ahead together ... It's a sign of the times and I think it's going to be beneficial."
Western Bay of Plenty District could have fewer councillors to vote for next election.