New Plymouth District Council to set up Maori Ward

Photo / Thinkstock

New Plymouth District Council has voted in favour of establishing a Maori ward for the 2016 local body elections.

New Plymouth District Council has voted in favour of establishing a Maori ward for the 2016 local body elections.

The decision yesterday afternoon makes it the first district council in New Zealand to have a Maori ward.

Moments after the historic decision was made, councillor John McLeod handed in his resignation, effective immediately.

"I cannot work in any environment that has a belief in separatist values, based on race, creed or religion," the letter stated.

The former SAS soldier, who is also famous for his stint on reality television show "Treasure Island" as both competitor and host, has been a councillor for the New Plymouth ward since 2007.