Ruapehu residents likely to vote on Māori ward after referendum petition lodged

The petition calling for a vote on the issue received around 550 signatures. Photo / File

Ruapehu residents are likely to vote on the issue of a Māori ward after a petition with around 550 signatures was received by Ruapehu District Council last week.

The petition, received on January 22 and currently being verified by the electoral officer, comes after the council voted last October to establish a Māori ward, with the council planning for the ward to be in place by the 2022 local government elections.

However, under the Local Electoral Act, a binding referendum must be held on the implementation of a Māori ward if 5 per cent of residents in a given district demand it.

Within Ruapehu, a minimum of 385 signatures was required to challenge the decision,

Ruapehu District councillor Elijah Pue, a staunch supporter of a Māori ward, said the delivery of the petition is disappointing news.

"This isn't about us campaigning for money or special treatment," Pue said.

"It's not about division or anything like that. It's about unity and kotahitanga, so we as Māori can get what was afforded to us in the Treaty of Waitangi."

Pue said it was unfortunate the campaign was being led by Hobson's Pledge, a group he believes has no connection to the area.

"Had it have been someone from here that led the campaign against it, I would've been for hearing it around the council table. But they don't know our community like we do.

Ruapehu District councillor Elijah Pue said that the delivery of the petition was "disappointing". Photo / File

"They've made this campaign about Māori wards really ugly, and it actually doesn't need to be like that."

Hobson's Pledge, the group believed to be behind the petition, has been involved in collecting signatures in districts across the county, opposing what they label "legislation, policy and regulations that will differentiate New Zealanders based upon their ethnicity or ancestry".

A council spokesperson said the petition will now be verified to ensure all signatories reside within the district and were on the electoral roll at the previous election in 2019.

If the petition is validated, a poll will be held at some point before May 21.