Judy Gill: Maori Ward Referendums

Just watch as rates rise, property values fall, and ideology moves into the school zone

Congratulations, residents of the new Maori Ward Councils — just watch as rates climb, property values fall, and a full cultural bureaucracy moves in. You’ll see more Te Reo road signs, karakia before every meeting, and a few taniwha to appease before any construction begins. And if you’ve got school-age children, check your zoning now — these areas will surely become magnets for ideological schooling and activist curriculum presented under the banner of “inclusion.”

Clive Bibby: Are Maori Wards about to become a dot on the Timeline of History

I have always thought that the introduction of Maori Wards was a naked attack on the democratic institution of government in this country.

It was based on a false premise that people claiming to be of Maori decent were underrepresented in the corridors of power at all levels throughout the nation.

Insights From Social Media

“Read the Fine Print, Minister” – Why Seymour’s Regulatory Standards Bill Might Actually Be a Win for Democracy - Steven Mark Gaskell.

While political noise swirls around co-governance and fast-track laws, another bill — quieter but arguably more powerful — is making its way through Parliament: the Regulatory Standards Bill, spearheaded by ACT leader and Minister for Regulation David Seymour. And despite the predictable outrage from the usual suspects, this legislation could finally force our lawmakers to do something revolutionary: justify their decisions.

Dr James Kierstead, Geoff Neal: Politicians are disconnected from the people they represent

Like most of the developed world, we in New Zealand live – we like to think – in a representative democracy. Rather than directly voting on issues, we vote for politicians who represent us in Parliament and in local councils. These politicians are responsive to our views, and if they’re not, we can kick them out at the next election and vote in another set of politicians who are.

Frank Newman: Ugly racial politics

The debate regarding Maori wards is divisive and could be very ugly when it comes into focus ahead of next year's local body elections.  Intimidation by Maori is already present to varying degrees and especially ramped up when the radicals sense they may lose their racial privilege, as was the case with the Kaipara District Council.

The referendums on Maori wards to be held in tandem with the local elections is a critical moment for the future of race-based representation. The result will either embed them for a very long time or challenge their place in a democratic society.  Although Maori wards have been available to councils for 20 or so years, it was Nanaia Mahuta’s tapestry of lies to take away the petition right that removed the barrier to their introduction.

Winston Peters: Support for Maori Ward referendum

On Monday a poll was released that was conducted by polling company Curia Market Research on the issue of Māori Wards.

What may come as a shock to the out-of-touch dictators on the left, it showed that 58% of people believe that it should be the local ratepayers that decide on Māori Wards by a referendum, not councils.

David Farrar: Mayors think they should decide, not the public

1 News reports:

More than 50 mayors and regional council chairpersons have penned a letter to the Government, criticising their bill that would require councils to hold referendums on Māori wards established without a local poll.

David Farrar: Local democracy to be restored

Simeon Brown announced:

The Coalition Government will restore the rights of communities to determine whether to introduce Māori wards, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.

“The Government will introduce a Bill in the coming months that will restore the ability for communities to petition their councils to hold binding polls on Māori ward decisions. This will include holding binding polls on wards that were established without the ability for local referendums to take place.

LGNZ President Sam Broughton Talks Māori Ward Referendums

Sean Plunket talks to Local Government New Zealand President Sam Broughton on the Platform about Māori ward referendums and Sam's comment about 'Central Government overeach'.

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Stephen Franks Talks LGNZ’s Statement on Referendums for Māori Wards

Sean Plunket talks to Lawyer Stephen Franks on the Platform about LGNZ’s statement on referendums for Māori wards

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