Horizons affirms Māori constituencies for 2025 local government elections

Horizons Councillors voted at today’s Council meeting to retain Māori constituencies for the 2025 local government elections.

The decision means a binding poll will be held at the same elections, asking voters if they wish to retain the constituencies.
 
Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell says today’s decision is the result of The Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori wards/constituencies) Amendment Act, which Horizons opposed.
 
“Many councillors spoke today about their frustration at the Act, including the additional costs it puts on ratepayers. The limited timeframe provided by the Act, requiring a decision by 6 September, meant we could not get fulsome feedback from Māori in the Horizons Region in time for today’s Council meeting – the last meeting available before the deadline,” says Cr Keedwell.
 
“However, we have heard directly from various iwi and hapū in the region, with most of those wishing for Māori constituencies to remain.”
 
Council overwhelmingly voted in favour when deciding to establish Māori constituencies in 2021, says Cr Keedwell.
 
“The introduction of Māori constituencies has been a key factor in strengthening relationships with iwi and hapū across the region.
 
“The addition of two councillors representing our Māori constituents has introduced diversity to our governance and helped to enlighten the wider organisation on navigating the array of iwi and hapū relationships across the region.
 
“Māori continue to be under-represented in local government. Māori constituencies has enabled successful Māori participation in decision-making at Horizons.”
 
Today’s decision and the result of next year’s poll do not change other mechanisms in which Māori, iwi and hapū can participate and work in partnership with Horizons, says Cr Keedwell.
 
“This includes continuing to have tangata whenua representatives on the Climate Action Joint Committee, inviting iwi and hapū to be on governance groups for a range of projects across the region, and creating memoranda of partnership.
 
“Our Long-term Plan, which we recently consulted on with everyone in the Horizons Region, has four strategic priorities. One of those is Te whakakaha whanaungatanga ki te tangata whenua | Strengthening partnerships with tangata whenua.
 
“The Plan also has six community outcomes, including He whanaungatanga whai mana | Our region’s relationship with iwi and hapū are respectful and mana-enhancing.
 
“Council acknowledges there is still much work to be done to achieve that priority and outcome, and we look forward to continuing to work with Māori in the region to achieve Horizons’ vision: Tō tātou whenua ora – mauri wai, mauri whenua, mauri ora | Our region – a healthy environment where people are thriving.”