Northland Regional Council chair Geoff Crawford said the decision demonstrated council's ongoing commitment to Māori representation. Photo: Susan Botting / Local Democracy Reporter Northland
Northland Regional Council has voted to keep its Māori wards.
The government has asked councils across the country wanting to keep or establish Māori wards to hold a poll with constituents.
Northland Regional Council had until early next month to decide whether or not it would keep its Māori constituency.
On Tuesday, council decided it will hold a binding poll with the 2025 regional council elections, with the outcome effective for the 2028 and 2031 elections.
Council chair Geoff Crawford said the decision demonstrated council's ongoing commitment to providing Māori representation.
"There will also be no need to conduct a representation review until the 2025-28 term, allowing for more time to conduct a full review, and incurring no additional unbudgeted costs," he said.
The council also agreed to have its chief executive Jonathan Gibbard explore the legal implications of the council not holding a binding poll.
