Time is running out on a decision whether to hold a poll that will ask if Hastings District Council should have a Maori ward as part of its 2013 election.
The council's Maori Joint Committee will meet today to discuss the options, which included supporting the poll, asking the council to create a Maori ward for the 2016 elections or to leave the idea for another time.
The council had the power to create a Maori ward but has missed the deadline for the 2013 election. It still had until the end of February to decide whether it should hold a poll on the matter and the outcome would apply to the next election.
Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc chairperson Ngahiwi Tomoana, a former Maori liaison officer for the council, said marae around Hastings were still weighing up the pros and cons of a Maori ward for the district.
"At the moment we're getting into a bit of a dogfight over whether there should be Maori wards or Maori seats," Mr Tomoana said.