MEDIA STATEMENT
Tuesday, 4 May 2021
NGĀTIWAI CALL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MĀORI WARDS IN THE FAR NORTH
The Ngātiwai Trust Board will today speak at the extraordinary meeting of the Far North District Council, giving their support to the establishment of Māori Wards in the Far North District Council.
In 2020 the Far North District Council voted down the establishment of Māori Wards, however through the Amendment Bill to the Local Electoral Act of 1 March 2021 the Ngātiwai Trust Board are now able to again advocate to Council to vote yes to establish Māori Wards.
Ngātiwai Trust Board Chairman Aperahama Kerepeti-Edwards says “ Ngātiwai are a unique voice in this debate as our rohe crosses over both the Whangārei and Far North District Councils. “
“The Far North District Council stands alone as the only Council in Tai Tokerau who does not support Māori Wards, with the Whangārei District Council, the Kaipara District Council and Northland Regional Council already voting YES to establishing Māori Wards.”
“The Far North District Council now have an opportunity to do the right thing for hapū, iwi and the Māori community and vote in support of Māori Wards.”
“We know that Far North District Council has had some two years of workshops and hui to understand the opportunity of Māori Wards and how providing for Māori representation at the decision making table demonstrates a further commitment to honouring the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”
“We now urge the council to vote YES”
Ngātiwai Chairman Aperahama Kerepeti-Edwards will be speaking in support of Māori Wards at the Council meeting to be held today at 3pm at the Council office in Kaikohe and encourage others to also attend todays to show their support.
ENDS
Contacts: Aperahama Kerepeti-Edwards, Chairman, Ngātiwai Trust Board
Phone: 09 430 0939
E-mail: aperahama.edwards@ngātiwai.iwi.nz
Barry Caldwell, Communications Advisor, Ngātiwai Trust Board
Phone: 021 728 291
Email: barry.caldwell@ngātiwai.iwi.nz