Campaign to Protect Māori Representation Launches with Calls for Vigilance and Community Unity

In a bold move to safeguard Māori representation in local governance, the 'Keep our Māori Wards' campaign was launched with a strong emphasis on community education and security caution. The initiative, which began with a weekend meeting in Taranaki, aimed to counter what organizers describe as a deliberate wave of misinformation and divisive rhetoric targeting Māori wards across New Zealand.

New Plymouth councillor Dinnie Moeahu, a key figure in the campaign, emphasized the need for accurate information and community-level engagement to counteract the disinformation being spread. He noted that Māori wards are not race-based but are rooted in the Treaty of Waitangi, established to ensure effective Māori representation and uphold the Crown's obligations under the Local Government Act.

The campaign comes amid a nationwide referendum on Māori wards, scheduled for October's local elections. Almost all Māori wards and constituencies in Taranaki and other parts of the country face potential dissolution through these referendums. The government’s recent legal changes, which require binding polls on the issue, were introduced as part of coalition agreements with ACT and New Zealand First, aimed at restoring local democracy.

However, Moeahu and other campaign organizers warn that the anti-Māori rhetoric has been well-organized and strategically executed. Former New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd, who faced significant public abuse for supporting Māori wards a decade ago, cautions that the opposition is prepared for a strong backlash and may resort to destructive tactics.

In response to the heightened risks, Moeahu and councillor Te Waka McLeod have agreed to accompany each other to public meetings for safety during the election season. McLeod, the first councillor for the newly established Te Purutanga Mauri Pūmanawa ward, has expressed confidence in the support she has received from fellow councillors and staff, as well as from the local hapū.

McLeod emphasized the importance of community engagement, urging people to have open conversations at the family table to educate others about the significance of Māori wards. She encouraged supporters to share accurate information with family members, especially those who may be on the fence about the issue.

The campaign has drawn support from various community leaders, including Labour MP Glen Bennett and NPDC councillors Amanda Clinton-Gohdes and Sam Bennett, who is running for mayor. Moeahu plans to hold more meetings to mobilize further support before the public voting process begins.

With referendums required at 37 district and five regional councils, the campaign's success hinges on widespread public education and grassroots engagement. Organizers stress the importance of accurate information and the need to counter the perception that Māori wards are racially based, rather than Treaty-based.

As the campaign moves forward, the focus remains on protecting the rights of Māori communities and ensuring their voices are heard in local governance. With the election season approaching, the 'Keep our Māori Wards' initiative stands as a testament to the power of community unity and the importance of informed public participation.