Congratulations on your selection as the candidate for NZ First. I am wiring to you on behalf of Democracy Northland in your capacity as the NZ First candidate.
NZ First has confirmed to me via email that it would reinstate sections 19ZA to 19ZG of the Local Electoral Act 2001. As you are aware, those sections were repealed by section 7 of the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2021 which was introduced by Nania Mahuta in her then capacity as Minister of Local Government. The effect was to remove the right of electors to demand a binding poll on the creation of Maori wards, and place the onus on local councils to respond to the demands of electors.
You will also recall some 15,000 members of the public petitioned you, and the other councillors in Northland region, to poll electors. Of those, 5135 were from the Whangarei district which is 8.3% of registered voters – the very same people you are now asking to vote for you as a candidate for NZ First.
In your role as a councillor elected to represent residents, you voted against holding a poll, or indeed any form of consultation with the public. You proceeded without reference to the public to introduce race-based wards. During the debate within council chambers, you justified this by stating Maori were disadvantaged and needed special privileges.
Our questions to you are as follows:
1. Do you still support Maori wards?
2. Do you remain of the view that the public should not be consulted about the creation or continuance of Maori wards?
3. Do you support your party’s position that sections 19ZA to 19ZG of the Local Electoral Act 2001 should be reinstated? If so, why have you changed your mind?
We look forward to your reply.
Democracy Northland
