Greens call for extension on Māori wards referendum

The Green Party is calling for the voting period for Māori wards to be extended after key information was left out of voting packs.

“Key information about Māori wards missing from election packs could influence the course of the referendum. This is not good enough,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Democracy and Electoral Reform, Celia Wade Brown.

“We are calling for the voting period to be extended so people can make their decision with all the information they should have got from the start. People won’t be able to appreciate the full value of Māori wards without knowing anything about the people running for them.

“We believe that failing to extend the voting period for the referendum could undermine its validity and trigger an inquiry under the Local Electoral Act. All of this mess demonstrates exactly why local body elections should be run by the electoral commission rather than private companies.

“Māori wards were created to ensure Māori have a seat at the council table and a voice in locally made decisions. Scrapping these wards could not only breach the Bill of Rights, but also undermine the essence of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and prolong a legacy of Māori voices being sidelined across local government.

“Communities deserve to have the full picture and be completely across what is at stake with this referendum before making a decision.

“This referendum is massive for our democracy. All we are asking for is that this is done properly,” says Celia Wade Brown.

Notes for Editors:

Celia Wade Brown’s letter to the Electoral Commission is attached.
Whanganui District, Ōpōtiki District, South Wairarapa District, and Manawatū District Councils have all been found to have information for Māori ward candidates missing from election materials

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