Prime Minister John Key says Auckland Mayoral contender Phil Goff will have to try his luck with the people of Auckland rather than the Government to introduce dedicated Maori wards to Auckland Council.
In a mayoral debate on RNZ on Wednesday, Goff said he would push for dedicated Maori wards if he had the chance and was elected Mayor.
Currently Maori are represented in Auckland Council's structure by an appointed Maori statutory board which can appoint Maori delegates to council committees.
Goff said he would like to change that if he could.
"If I'm asked my opinion, 'would I rather have elected people on the Council representing the Maori people or appointed people?', my answer is it's got to be elected because that's what democracy is about."