Te Runanga O Tupoho has written to the Wanganui District Council demanding a Maori ward be set up.
Last November kaiwhakahaere John Maihi wrote, "Please accept this letter as an official request by Nga Hapu O Tupoho that the setting up of a Maori ward in the Wanganui District is now a demand".
Mr Maihi was to have made a presentation on the issue at Thursday's strategy committee meeting. However, a family illness prevented his attendance.
In the letter, Mr Maihi said a Maori ward would benefit the hapu in the future as there would be "people sitting at the top table guarding their interest". Maori, or iwi in particular, had not fared very well under the past or present systems.
In a January 14 letter, Mr Maihi took issue with Mayor Michael Laws' comments in a Chronicle article. Mr Laws said the fact that two of the present councillors had "Maori birthright" showed Maori could get elected on the general roll.
"At no stage did either Sue (Pepperell) or Rangi (Wills) campaign as Maori/iwi representatives," Mr Maihi wrote. "They were for Wanganui youth and Wanganui Ratepayers' Association respectfully. At no stage did you mention that they were Maori/iwi representatives through your campaign either."
Council corporate planning manager Kevin Ross told the strategy committee a decision to set up a Maori ward could occur in one of three ways.
Council could decide to introduce a Maori ward. At least five percent of electors could then demand a poll as to whether council's decision should be implemented.
Alternatively, at least five percent of electors could demand a poll on the issue, the results of which would be binding.
Council could also decide to hold a poll.
If council wanted a Maori ward introduced for the 2007 elections, it would have to pass a resolution by November 23 this year, Mr Ross said.
Once a decision was made on a Maori ward, it stayed in place for two triennial elections.
Based on current electoral roll numbers, a Maori ward would have one or two councillors, Mr Ross said.
The committee decided to refer the issue to the next suitable meeting when Mr Maihi could attend.
Tupoho demand Maori ward
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