Photo: Hamilton City Council
Hamilton City Council is the second Waikato-based council to vote to retain its Māori ward this week.
On Thursday, Hamilton council voted to retain the Kirikiriroa Māori Ward and hold a binding poll on the issue next year, following the passing of new legislation by central government.
On Tuesday, Waipā district council also voted to retain its Māori ward, followed by Matamata-Piako on Wednesday.
Waikato District Council had already voted to retain its Māori ward on 14 August.
Under the government's recently passed legislation, councils have until 6 September to either retain the Māori ward and agree to hold a poll, or abolish its Māori ward.
Hamilton's Kirikiriroa Māori Ward was established after community engagement in 2021.
Mayor Paula Southgate said the vote was the most democratic way to respond to government legislation.
"My personal experience is that Māori representation has added significant value to council and had a positive impact on the community," she said.
If council had decided to disestablish the Kirikiriroa Māori Ward, Hamilton would have been required to either revert to the 2019 representation arrangements or immediately complete a shortened representation review.
Hamilton City Council is comprised of the mayor and 14 councillors (six East Ward, six West Ward and two Kirikiriroa Māori Ward). The 2019 representation arrangements were the mayor and 12 councillors (six East Ward and six West Ward).
