My Account
Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers has voted against the idea of establishing a Maori ward as part of the Auckland Council governing body.
Mayor Phil Goff proposed the idea of an elected Maori representative on the grounds that it helped meet Treaty of Waitangi obligations.
Nine councillors and Mr Goff voted in favour of the Maori Ward last month, while five voted against and six were not present and therefore were ineligible to vote.
Cr Sayers said the matter is constitutional and should be put to the people to decide.
He has the backing of Howick councillor Sharon Stewart.
“I put forward the idea of the referendum to Mr Goff, but his amendment was voted in before it so it didn’t get that far,” Cr Sayers said.
Mr Goff said a referendum could cause division within Auckland.
“We need to avoid that grievance festering and getting worse,” he said.
Cr Sayers was disappointed with the lack of detail around the vote, with no mention of whether a councillor would lose their role or if a seat would be added to the governing body.
As it stands, those who voted for the Maori ward did so in principle, but would like government to change the law to accommodate it as an extra seat rather than replace one of the existing seats.
“I doubt that Parliament will support a change to the current law,” Cr Sayers said.
If the Maori ward does get established then those enrolled in a Maori electorate will be able to elect the member to Council.
Cr Sayers said this meant they would lose their usual vote for a councillor.
Ngati Manuhiri spokesperson Mook Hohneck said he supports the Maori ward.
“It’s another positive for Maori in helping to get our perspective across, but I would like the seat as additional to the existing ones,” he said.
He is in discussion with Maori about whether removing their usual councillor vote in exchange for a Maori ward vote is appropriate.
