Hastings District Council and Napier City Council voted to consult about the creation of Māori wards, but while Hastings could have them in by 2022 Napier will have to wait until 2025. Photo / File
Hastings District Council and Napier City Council voted to consult about the creation of Māori wards, but while Hastings could have them in by 2022 Napier will have to wait until 2025. Photo / File
They met at the same time, just 20 minutes' drive apart, to discuss the same topic.
But the scenes at a meeting at Hastings District Council on Thursday that could pave the way for Māori wards might as well have been the polar opposite of those in Napier.
At aso-labelled 'extraordinary' council meeting, Hastings councillors voted unanimously to consult its community about establishing wards in time for the 2022 local elections.
It means it's still in the running to meet the Government-imposed deadline of May 21 by just 72 hours.
But in Napier on Thursday morning they were in no hurry at all.
Its councillors voted unanimously to start consultation but let it run well beyond the four-week minimum consultation period, right through until September.
It means the council will miss the May 21 deadline, pushing out the wards until at least 2025.
It follows the Government's decision to prohibit local polls that veto council decisions to establish Māori wards as part of the Local Electoral (Māori wards and Māori constituencies) Amendment Act 2021.
Hastings District Council unanimously agreed to begin consultation about Māori wards in time for the 2022 elections which Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst was "cause for celebration". Photo / File
Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said she was proud of councillors for their korero on the subject, which followed an emotional meeting with the Māori Standing Committee earlier in the week.
The council will now engage with its community until May 12 before a final vote on May 18.
"Sometimes we get weighed down by some of the challenges but this is a party and celebration," she said.
"This is a celebration of our people coming together to look at representation for people to have their say in true democracy [...] and true partnership."
Napier city councillor Sally Crown said while she Hastings District Council's efforts were "very enviable", she knew they were not "comparing apples with apples" in the sense that they were further along in the process.
"Process matters - it's the glue that holds are decisions together," she said.
"We want to walk the talk together."
Mayor Kirsten Wise said council's relationship with mana whenua had been less than perfect in the past but council was committed to changing this.
"My goal from day one of being elected has been to create an environment that is safe for all of our people to participate in the decision-making for our city, and in particular to build a true relationship with mana whenua."
She said it was important to understand that council had not had a chance to formally consider Māori wards with mana whenua or the local community.
"As a council, we are continually criticised for not consulting enough.
"We have learnt how important consultation and process is for our community."
Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said more time was needed for mana whenua and community consultation as council had never formally considered the creation of Māori wards. Photo / File
With the deadline "less than four weeks away", Wise said extending the consultation period would allow council to have a full and open conversation with everyone in the community.
She said it was a journey they needed to take together and to ensure fair and due process was followed.
She acknowledged it was a divisive issue and council's decision would be disappointing for many mana whenua but said it signalled her commitment to them.
"We risk creating further pain and frustration if we do not take the time to do this right and bring our whole community with us."
Deputy mayor Annette Brosnan said she had been saddened hearing "emotion and hurt" expressed at a meeting with mana whenua on Wednesday, but agreed that the three-week consultation period didn't give enough time.
"This process needs to bring us to together and break down barriers, not create them.
"We need to all come together on this."
Napier deputy mayor Annette Brosnan said the process needed to bring people to together and "break down barriers, not create them". Photo / File
The motion to undertake separate engagement and consultation about the creation of Māori wards was unanimously supported by other Napier City councillors.
The council will now have until November 23 to make a decision in time for the 2025 elections.
Wairoa District Council held a poll in 2016, in which 54 per cent of the public voted in favour of establishing three Māori ward seats.
Councillors Danika Goldsack, Melissa Kaimoana and Chaans Tumataroa-Clarke were elected to these roles in 2019.
The Hawke's Bay Regional Council voted in February to consult the community about the establishment of Māori wards before making a decision.
This consultation period closed on April 22, with submissions to be heard at a hearing in early May.
Hawke's Bay Today has not been made aware of any discussions held at Central Hawke's Bay District Council about setting up Māori wards. The council has been contacted for its position on them.
