Summary
- Government plans to require local councils to hold a referendum on whether to have Māori wards breach the Treaty of Waitangi.
- The Waitangi Tribunal report found that the repeal of the referendum requirement for Māori wards would negatively impact Māori representation in local government.
- The tribunal recommends proper consultation between Treaty partners to protect Māori rights and interests.
- The National Urban Māori Authority praised the tribunal’s report, stating that the referendum would restrict Māori involvement in local government.
