Māori neighbourhoods: why I don’t think Palmerston North should have them – Leonie Hapeta

I want to explain my decision to vote against Maori wards at a recent council meeting.

My husband is Māori. His iwi is Raukawa of Ōtaki.

We have considered my voting decision with this in mind and I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to get into the council to the fullest extent of their ability, regardless of their ethnicity. I do not believe that Maori should be treated differently to anyone else. That is why I do not support Maori wards.

I support all the people who have been elected to the council. Since I have been on the council, I have seen people from the Pacific community, from the Asian and Muslim communities, among others, elected.

On Horizons Regional Council, Wiremu Te Awe Awe has been successfully elected for more than two terms and has been, in my opinion, a successful councillor.

For an alternative view: Councillor Pat Handcock explains why he believes the Maori Quarter should remain.

My position is that I would like the council to hold a referendum at the next election to let the public know what they think about whether there should be Māori wards.

I think this is too big an issue for us not to go back to our community and ask the public this question: Should we have Māori wards in the City of Palmerston North?

This is a question you will have to decide in the next municipal elections.