South Taranaki councillor Tuteri Rangihaeata says Māori candidates should have a crack but realise they need support within and beyond their own whānau, hapū and iwi. Photo / Te Korimako o Taranaki
South Taranaki councillor Tuteri Rangihaeata says Māori candidates should have a crack but realise they need support within and beyond their own whānau, hapū and iwi. Photo / Te Korimako o Taranaki
Māori ward councillors in Taranaki are cautioning would-be candidates to do their homework and get their people’s support before stepping into the ring.
Council elections are a year away, but Local Government New Zealand says wannabe councillors should start preparing – including those with an eye on Māori wards.
South Taranaki District councillor Tuteri Rangihaeata says it’s awesome if Māori are prepared to stand and “they should have a crack at it.”
But Rangihaeata warned that even local government is complex and challenging.
“Do some homework, don’t leave it to the last minute, get your whānau wrapped around you.”
It might be the last time Taranaki’s five seats for tangata whenua are up for election as the Government has demanded voters get to say yes or no to almost every Māori ward.
The Māori wards remain on the ballots for the 2025 election but a “no” vote would see them prohibited for the next two local elections in 2028 and 2031.
Rangihaeata represents Te Tai Tonga, one of South Taranaki’s two Māori wards, and said it was crucial he gained backing from Ngāti Ruanui via its rūnanga, and then from neighbouring iwi Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi and Ngāruahinerangi.
“And it’s a huge time commitment also reading your papers.”
The rules and regulations of the council chamber must be learned and McLeod said Māori candidates should also consider “the dynamics of the council and how that might affect you.”
New Plymouth councillor Te Waka McLeod says Māori ward candidates should consider if they are ready for challenges in politically hostile times. Photo / Te Korimako o Taranaki
“From a hauora (wholistic health) perspective, are you well enough to come into this and be challenged by your colleagues around kaupapa that you’re really passionate about? Or that your iwi and hapū are passionate about?”
Both Māori ward councillors said successful candidates would need to stretch beyond their own communities.
“You’re not just there for Māori,” said McLeod.
“Yes, you are nominated to be there to represent Māori but you’re there ultimately for the community and so you need to make sure your voice is being heard outside of just the Māori community.
“Because they also are looking to you and watching you and potentially wanting to pull you up on things, you know, with everything that’s happening at a political, governmental level.”
Rangihaeata enjoyed the challenges from South Taranaki’s diverse communities.
“You know the Pākehā elderly, I got an Indian Fijian, they’re asking me a million questions – well, I didn’t even know there was a Muslim community in Hāwera!”
Local Government New Zealand acting chief executive Scott Necklen said in the last elections 40% of members were voted in for the first time.
The next local body elections are in October 2025 and LGNZ was encouraging people to start thinking now about how they can prepare themselves to stand.
“Candidates can attend council meetings and learn more about what the key issues are impacting on their community - and begin planning how they can make a difference,” said Scott Necklen.
