No Maori constituencies

Hawke's Bay Regional Council will not be establishing Maori constituencies for the 2013 local body elections.

The decision was made at last week's full council meeting.

The issue was last considered by council in 2005 when, based on a Maori committee recommendation to council, it did not support the establishment of Maori constituencies.

Once again the issue has been considered by the Maori and corporate and strategic committees, with both recommending the council not support the establishment of Maori constituencies.

One of the main arguments against the move is the possibility that non-tangata whenua could be elected, denying tangata whenua direct input into decision-making on issues directly affecting them.

There was also concern the Maori committee would not continue if constituencies were established.

The public has the right to demand a poll and can obtain support from 5 per cent of electors.