Forty-two councils are set to hold pivotal referenda on the future of Maori seats in October, yet few New Zealanders appear to grasp just how high the stakes actually are.
Proponents of Maori sovereignty understand the gravity: losing these seats would deal a crushing blow to their push for control over local councils.
More critically, it could jeopardise their race-based parliamentary seats and their He Puapua plan to dominate “Aotearoa” by 2040.
Race-based council seats had a controversial origin.
Unlike the Parliamentary Maori seats, which were established in 1867 as a temporary measure to give Maori men the right to vote, local body Maori seats are a relatively new invention.
They were introduced in the early 2000s around the time Helen Clark’s Labour-led Government was reforming the 1976 Local Elections and Polls Act to modernise and streamline council elections.
During that period, Parliament had also been considering a Private Members Bill promoted by the Green Party’s Rod Donald to introduce proportional voting into local government to increase council diversity.
As a result, the Single Transferable Vote was included as an option in the Government’s Local Electoral Bill, enabling councils to switch between First Past the Post voting and STV, but because this changed the electoral system, a legal safeguard was required.
Under New Zealand’s democratic conventions, voting systems are deemed to be of such constitutional significance that they are afforded special protection in law as a safeguard to ensure electoral changes can only be undertaken with the express approval of voters, in order to prevent those in power from manipulating the voting system for their own advantage.
In central government, the democratic safeguard comes in the form of entrenched electoral law provisions, which means they can only be changed through a supermajority vote in Parliament of 75 percent of MPs, or through a nation-wide binding referendum.
In comparison, the democratic safeguard in local government is petition rights: if a council alters the voting system without a community mandate, then, if five percent of electors support a petition challenging the decision, the council must hold a binding referendum of voters.
Accordingly, the 2001 Local Electoral Act not only included the STV voting option, but the petition right safeguard as well.
Another Bill making its way through Parliament at the time was the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (Maori Constituency Empowering) Bill. This Local Bill, introduced by Labour MP Mita Ririnui, created dedicated Maori seats on the council.
During the first reading of the Bill, then Alliance MP Willie Jackson told the House: “In 1998, despite Maori being 28 percent of the population, Maori had no representation on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. That would suggest the system has failed Maori, big time. That is not a system that caters for all New Zealanders. It is a system that caters for Pakeha New Zealanders.”
The truth of the matter was revealed by local electorate MP, National’s Max Bradford: “If we look over the history of recent elections in the Bay of Plenty, we see that there has been no difficulty for Maori to find representation on the regional council. From 1989 to 1991, there were two Maori out of 12 representatives. From 1992 to 1995 there was one. I do not think any other Maori stood. In the third triennium, 1995 to 1998, there were no Maori representatives, but I am not sure anybody stood. In the present triennium there are two Maori out of 11 representatives.
“Those who argue that Maori find it difficult to get representation because there are no separate Maori seats, deny the facts. The facts are this. Those who choose to stand for representation in the area have been welcome. I know that each of those people who has been elected found it easy.”
In other words, the real reason Maori did not have representation on the Regional Council at the time in question is that no Maori candidates had put their name forward for election!
The Bill was therefore introduced under false pretences.
Max Bradford outlined its sinister implications: “The one thing this bill is not is an innocent little local bill. It is a bill that will have a profound impact not just in the Bay of Plenty but right throughout the country. What it seeks to do is establish a new basis of voting and representation that we do not have in the present law.”
ACT MP Ken Shirley was more forthright: “What this bill is all about is institutionalised separatism. There is another name for that – apartheid. What we have is, effectively, a stalking horse to impart separatism to local government throughout this country. This is a very dangerous pathway. This inevitably leads to polarisation of both accountability and responsibility. The members elected off the Maori roll will feel beholden to Maori. Therefore, this measure will inevitably promote more strident separatist issues, as those members respond to the Maori roll rather than to what is in the collective general interest of the electorate at large.”
Ken Shirley was critical of the lack of leadership of Regional Council members, who opposed the Bill in private, but ‘buckled’ under pressure from iwi: “They have been caught by a very carefully crafted agenda.”
That “very carefully crafted agenda” continues to this day.
Even though the Bill was based on the lie that it is was too difficult for Maori to get elected to the council, it was nevertheless voted into law.
And, as Ken Shirley warned, it was indeed a stalking horse for Maori wards across the country – as he pointed out in a debate on the Bill introducing them in 2002: “The bill proposes race-based electoral rolls for local government. That is apartheid. The bill will prove to be socially divisive, but the Labour Government is determined to drive it through. We knew that the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (Maori Constituency Empowering) Act was the stalking horse for this measure. The Government denied it at the time, but here is the proof.”
How prophetic Ken Shirley’s words were.
Because the creation of Maori wards required the introduction of the Maori electoral roll, it too was a measure that would alter the voting system. As a result, the same petition right safeguard that had been applied for STV voting, was also applied to Maori wards.
This democratic safeguard was not needed for any other ward changes undertaken by councils, because none of the others would alter the voting system.
By 2020, 24 councils had attempted to introduce Maori wards against the wishes of their communities. Only in Wairoa in 2016 had Maori seats been supported in the mandatory referendum – although, as the Mayor later explained, they were not really needed.
Nor were they ‘needed’ to increase Maori representation in local government since by 2019, 13.5 percent of all elected Councillors were Maori – the same as the 13.7 percent of Maori in the adult population.
When Jacinda Ardern’s majority Labour Government swept into office in 2020 armed with their He Puapua agenda for the tribal control of New Zealand, they moved swiftly to abolish the Maori ward petition right safeguard.
Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta claimed it discriminated against Maori because it only applied to Maori wards. That was a lie. She also claimed Maori were under-represented in local government. That too, was a lie.
With the democratic safeguard removed, powerful tribal advocates and left-wing activists within local councils took the opportunity to introduce Maori wards without any mandate from voters. As a result, the number of Maori seats after the 2022 election escalated, with Maori membership on councils rising to 21.6 percent – resulting in a significant over-representation of Maori in local government.
Furthermore, with powerful Maori advisory groups already well established in local authorities, Maori seats gave tribal interests a controlling influence within many councils.
In 2024, the Coalition restored the democratic right of electors, by reversing Nanaia Mahuta’s deception and re-introducing the petition-right safeguard. All councils that had established Maori wards without obtaining a mandate from voters were given the choice of either disestablishing them or holding a binding referendum at the election.
The only council resolving to abolish their Maori ward was the Kaipara District Council.
This week’s NZCPR Guest Commentator Frank Newman, a former local body councillor and political strategist, interviewed the Mayor of Kaipara Craig Jepson to assess whether the Maori seat had provided benefits to the community:
“The Maori seats have become radicalised. Our Maori ward councillor continually disrupted and undermined our council. Although she took an oath to work in the best interests of all people, she clearly put the interests of Maori first, at the expense of everyone else.
“It has also cost ratepayers a lot of money because the council has had to respond to frivolous Code of Conduct complaints and legal challenges to our decisions, asserting we have breached our Treaty obligations.
“The simple fact is the Kaipara District Council is not the Crown and does not have duties as a signatory to the Treaty of Waitangi. Our council meets its obligations to Maori as required by the Local Government Act. We facilitate participation by Maori in local decision-making processes, but while doing so, we ensure our decision-making entails equal rights for all communities and people of the district.”
Come October, the future of local government Maori seats will rest where it should have remained: in the hands of voters.
Although the battle has yet to be waged, it is clear the campaign of lies perpetuated by Nania Mahuta and the Ardern Labour Government, will resurface to justify their retention.
How far that truth reaches into the debate remains to be seen.
The left-wing bias in the mainstream media is already evident and there is no doubt they will pitch a one-sided narrative.
It will be up to people power to counter that media bias and rally support for what we all believe in: open and fair democracy where everyone is treated equally and given the same opportunity.
Here are some facts: Maori are not underrepresented in local councils – or in Parliament. They are over-represented.
Maori also gain substantial influence on Councils through ad-hoc standing committees and special “relationship” agreements that guarantee priority status.
In fact, the list of special rights for Maori in local government is endless – including Mana Whakahono a Rohe Agreements with councils, statutory obligations for Maori engagement, Maori representation on committees and boards, Maori advisory roles and co-governance arrangements, special procurement rules for Maori businesses, along with continuous opportunities to be involved in decisions relating to roading and other infrastructure projects with oversight and monitoring roles.
To suggest Maori do not have influence on councils is plainly absurd – even without having a free pass to the top-table.
Even the justification that sharing sovereignty is a Treaty right is a lie: the historical record clearly demonstrates sovereignty was ceded “absolutely and without reservation”.
It is also a legal fact that local authorities are not the Crown and therefore do not have Treaty of Waitangi obligations.
But let’s not underestimate the significance of the 42 council referendums (see below for the full list of councils).
Should the vote be to retain the Maori wards, then it is inevitable that the country’s remaining councils will follow suit as opponents will be much less willing to go through the onerous task of gathering signatures to challenge the decision.
The consequences would then become increasingly sinister as tribal totalitarianism takes hold.
It’s easy to blame the Government for not doing enough to stop the tribal takeover of New Zealand. But the outcome of these Maori Seat referenda is on us.
This is our opportunity to rally around our friends and family, to use our mailing lists and social media to impress on everyone that a “no vote” in each of those 42 referenda is vital for the democratic future of New Zealand. And don’t forget, anyone owning property is entitled to vote in every area where rates are paid – more details can be found HERE.
*The 42 councils holding a Maori Seat referendum at the 2025 elections are:
- Central Hawke’s Bay District Council
- Far North District Council
- Gisborne District Council
- Hamilton City Council
- Hastings District Council
- Hauraki District Council
- Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
- Horizons Regional Council (Manawatu-Whanganui Regional Council)
- Horowhenua District Council
- Hutt City Council
- Kapiti Coast District Council
- Kawerau District Council
- Manawatu District Council
- Masterton District Council
- Marlborough District Council
- Matamata-Piako District Council
- Napier City Council
- Nelson City Council
- New Plymouth District Council
- Northland Regional Council
- Otorohanga District Council
- Porirua City Council
- Palmerston North City Council
- Rangitikei District Council
- Rotorua District Council
- Ruapehu District Council
- South Taranaki District Council
- South Wairarapa District Council
- Stratford District Council
- Taranaki Regional Council
- Tararua District Council
- Tasman District Council
- Taupo District Council
- Thames-Coromandel District Council
- Waikato District Council
- Waipa District Council
- Wellington City Council
- Wellington Regional Council
- Western Bay of Plenty District Council
- Whakatane District Council
- Whanganui District Council
- Whangarei District Council
Full details can be found HERE.
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THIS WEEK’S POLL ASKS:
*Do you believe local body Maori Seats have become radicalised?
*Poll comments are posted below.
*All NZCPR poll results can be seen in the Archive.
THIS WEEK’S POLL COMMENTS
| Dump the lot, one man one. | Sven |
| All maori seats must go.We have an opportunity here to vote them out via the upcoming referendum. IT IS VITAL THAT ALL GOOD KIWIS GET OFF THEIR BACKSIDES AND VOTE THESE BLUDGERS OUT. If you want NZ to be a democracy again your vote is vital. Banning these racist seats will be a good start.We can then begin the slow process of winning our country back by using the same tactics maori radicals have been using for years and that is small steps at a time First vote out local body maori seats,then sort out the foreshore and seabed debacle then vote in the current coalition but with more emphasis on ACT and NZ FIRST and so on. I would suggest everyone reads Julian Batchelors excellent article “THE CAMEL IN THE TENT” also if you can his “BELL SHAPED GRAPH” Well done Julian great stuff,not just the above but all your work. So once the ball starts rolling it should snowball from there. There are so many wrongs to right this is going to take time to fix.Remember the maori radicals have a 50 year lead on us from 1975 to 2025. We need an ENGLISH ONLY TV Station for the average Kiwi to get the truth of what has been happening.Anyone have any ideas on how to do this? | Brian |
| Hoodwinked by Maori Woke UN UNDRIP, just as in Canada. Time for Trump-ism to take back our country’s democracy! | Norman |
| You may all be educated, qualified but it reads like a bunch of conspiracy lunatics thinking the aliens are coming. Tribal takeovers? domination? privileges? fall of democracy? Where do these cruel distorted radical views come from ? If you look around without ‘issue’ you will see most NZers – non Maori and Maori call it our unique culture and want to protect it from radical right twisted view they might get eaten? I come trying to understand both sides but all I have ever seen is vile abuse and no sense. Future generations will read all your words in shock at the similarity in men opposing women’s rights, American slave trade, Hilter talking about jews. I am shocked. | Mandy |
| Radicalised by cultural power given to them by useless, appeasing politicians. Leads to soft, negative power with authoritarian democracy. | Monica |
| Councils feel they have to accept Names for facilities “gifted” by local Maori tribes or the unelected Maori advisers. Other matters too. | Rochelle |
| Extremeley | Lynette |
| I suspect that for many people, race relations are going backwards | Peter |
| As new Zealand is currently entangled in a grim fight for every New Zealanders general democratic rights, then the existence of any race based extra privileges cannot be accepted. Thus the local body Maori Seats has now become very much weaponised. However, as you say, it is up to all New Zealand citizens to take up this most important opportunity to address this undistinguished race based situation. The vote can become the ‘mere’ to sort it out. Which ever way the vote goes is the way we have to follow. We cannot take anything for granted so it is of urgent importance to ensure we encourage our fellow citizens of the urgent necessity to vote to ensure that the right outcome will be the defeat of all this immature nonsense. May it be the start of the slippery slope were all other race based nonsense becomes a pathway to its elimination altogether. | Garry. |
| Definitely | Rose |
| Shout out to Kaipara District Council Mayor, Craig Jepson. A mayor who does what’s right for ALL his community and where manufactured racism is not tolerated. This country needs a hell of a lot more Craig Jepson’s to turn this apartheid ethnostate ship around. | neil |
| IT’S TIME TO STOP THE CRAP. | COLIN |
| Yes, they were already radicalised by default | Trevor |
| Everything in politics has been radicalised. | Mark |
| not only local body seats but parliament as well and the corruption will carry on regardless of the vote because that bloody treaty crap is still alive and bleeding this country called NEW ZEALAND, luxon and his browning nose mates can put NEW ZEALAND on our passports but allow the tv stations and news to allow that horrible maori gibberish to be spoken and nzta is a major brown noser. SO KIWIS VOTE NO TO FREE MAORI SEATS ON YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL | Richard |
| It is another infiltration of maori to gain full control and not as an equal citizen | Noel |
| Not only do the Wards need to go, but so too the Maori seats in parliament, the back door agreements government and councils etc have made with iwi, the laws and rules giving Maori rights ranging from from consultation through to consent to opine on everything they know nothing about and apply tribal, prehistoric myths to. | Brian Damage |
| It is but one step in the establishment of legal apartheid which is currently happening here in NZ | Susan |
| Maori seats provide unequal representation from the start. There is certainly no need for them; so they are an opportunity/expectation to be a radical element just by their presence. | Peter K |
| Bot in all districts, but in many where power is up for grabs | Hilary |
| AMONG OTHER THINGS, MAORI ACTIVISTS HAVE JUST BECOME TIME WASTERS . THIS MEANS ALL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES BECOME MORE EXPENSIVE FOR EVERYBODY | Bruce |
| Absolutely, and they need to go. There is no place for racially-based seats. Everyone and anyone should be able to gain a council seat, not rely on their racial background. | Gavin |
| Yes most definitely. The issue is more serious than that though, because local councils have signed co-governance agreements with iwi to effectively by-pass whether or not maori wards are established anyway. | Trevor |
| It is all moving towards implementation of He Puapua which would mean that councils instead of being democratic would be tribal run. | Duncan |
| Absolutely | Janine |
| Racial discrimination or favouritism is illegal. United Nations 1995 https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-convention-elimination-all-forms-racial | Brian |
| Oh YES!!! We let this opportunity pass by voting to retain the maori seats , to our peril. | Helen |
| It has to stop. | Ronmac |
| In a true democracy of one person one vote, those seats would never have been there in the first place. Divide and rule. The current coalition we thought would lead NZ back to a functional democracy seems to have been inflitrated with radicalized ministers in all parties; advancing co-goverance or co-managment, one in the same, at speed and leaving in maori legislation put in by the previous Govt. A country is more than just the econmy Mr Luxon, it’s the people. In my view, ignoring the wishes of the people on race issues, and sitting on the fence will cost National at the next election. | Sam |
| Dissolve them. | Arthur |
| Yes and its all part of a plan. | Allan |
| It’s all about greed and the loss of respect for country and the rule of law. | Rob |
| Most definitely | Stephen |
| Everyone who lives in NZ must all be treated the same. No handouts to anyone based on their ancestry.and that includes everyone who claims to be Maori. | Steve |
| To the detriment of the local bodies and voters. Bit like maori getting seats while the rest sit on the earth floor. | Ken |
| Every thing to do with race needs to be deleted from legislation. There are no Maori today, only part Maori, and any one with any Maori ancestry needs to stand with everyone else. There are many people with some Maori ancestry who are decent worthwhile citizens getting by on their own efforts. They do NOT need special treatment. It’s insulting to them surely. Still, we all know what’s happening with part Maori wanting to take over the country by 2040 and must NOT allow it to happen. | Helen |
| Special privileges to a certain race need to stop STAT. | Faye |
| As all positions involving maori have. | Rod |
| We live in an era of woke ‘feelings’ idealism. We need to live in a world of realism. Do you want to be ruled by tribalism. The choice will affect your grandchildren. Think carefully. | Laurine |
| Definitely radicalised. Good money train and all rate payers will pay dearly. Now the fire service is being taken over. Karakia before work, prayer for the water life force in the hose while your house burns down. Where do these nutters, tribalists come from ? Central govt. needs to remove them. Thank goodness the volunteers are fighting it. What a bloody mess this country has become. STOP THE GRAVY TRAIN. VOTE NO TO MAORI WARDS. | Kevin |
| Greed, resentment and deception. What worries me is that there are a lot of dumb non Maori who clearly dont understand that Maori iwi ( Tikanga) are not interested in partnership or good faith – they want total control. | Mike |
| Absolutely it is we need this referendum | Denise |
| we should not have Maori seats at all One person one vote should apply to all. | Penelope |
| We are all kiwis | Mark |
| Absolutely, it’s a rort and needs to be stopped | Gary |
| They have corrupted ALL of the voting system, why are COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR SO BLOODY USELESS? it seems that they have intentionally wrecked the voting LISTS OF THE VOTER, they cannot keep records of voting lists? The two council lists, have been deliberately messed up… so that they can pulloff a wraught on voting day…. what a bloody mess…. | David |
| Given the fee ride of course they have become radicalised | James |
| Ban them | Raymond |
| I thought propitional representation means what it says | stephen |
| Well their incumbents certainly are | nelson |
| They are not needed–totally undemocratic. One person one vote–equality before the law. | Margaret |
| These racist maori activists are actually insulting those they claim to be representing. If I wee a maori I would be outraged that someone was claiming I couldn’t stand on my own two feet, and needed special assistance in order to succeed purely because of my race. A pity more maoris don’t see this. | TOBY |
| NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! | Sylvia |
| ALL the Maori BS needs to be removed from all rules, laws, Documents, of every institution, department, school, office, business, council, government etc. until it is gone!! | Carole |
| When Councillors refer to ‘my people’ you know how they identify and vote. This is not democracy. | Mark |
| Apartheid for sure. Tribal rule is near | Claire |
| This needs to be addressed now. Their hefty salaries should be removed as they frequently do not bother to turn up for question time blatantly disrespectful to the house. | Dianne |
| We shouldn’t have any Maori Seats for anything. We are one people, or supposed to be! | Diane |
| The unelected councilors are not part of our democracy. similar to the Maori seats in Parliament, which should have been abolished when we changed to MMP. One vote per individual is democratic. Nothing else is legal. GIMME, GIMME, GIMME IS STILL THEIR CATCH PHRASE. | CHRIS |
| There is no need for specific Maori wards. Please let us all get on being NZ citizens who vote without prejudice of skin colour or ethnicity | Anne |
| And their abolition is overdue | Terry |
| Their greed knows no boundaries. | Merryl |
| Yes they are racist. Bring back one nation one people. | Mat |
| NZers have had more than enough of this non sense nonsense. It is time to get on with a united future for everyone. NO APARTHEID. | susan |
| We must all vote to abolish the Maori seats and cancel the Treaty of Waitangi. Maori have broken the Treaty time and time again. | William Clive |
| Most definitely | John |
| Like everything Maori it becomes radicalised | Warren |
| I can see no other reason for them based on current figures, | DICK |
| they cant help themselves | Graeme |
| very much so i am afraid and just hope its not too late to stop the racist divide | john |
| Yes they have. I often read the Stop Co Governance website and am bewildered by all the privileges that Maori enjoy above the rest of us in this country. The Politicians have let us down badly. | Paul |
| These particular Racist Extremmist Part Maori are NOT mmainstream Part Maori and only represent themselves. This Action by a few Part Maori Radicals should really be Treated as Treason !! | Geoff |
| Council Maori wards are a total farce and should be all disestablished; the intent was clear – to control all Councils by double-dipping from General Roll and Maori Roll. NRC is a perfect example of 2 Maori Ward Councillors taking off all due process. | Mark |
| Our council has a significant number of Maori elected through general wards. Most of those councillors are strong advocates for community matters but some become strident supporters of Maori doctrine. There isn’t any place for such partial views and the bias a Maori ward would create | Mike |
| No doubt about it and increasingly so! | Brian |
| to what benefit? | barry |
| Defiantly. | Ian |
| I believe in a democratic society for all of New Zealand | Frank |
| Very much so that we MUST change. it is obvious that if we don’t things are going to get much worse! | Fred |
| Yes… of course, the T.P.M and green loonies, are not going to stop now…! their AGENDA, is LONG TERM, boasting that they will be in control by 2040,, The rest of N.Z is sound asleep….. OVER THROW, BY STEALTH! | David |
| STOP | Wiremu |
| In principle, have already lived through these types of shenanigans in two previous countries. | Rogan |
| Local bodies need to be aware of the consequences if allow to happen | leo |
| Maori Wards are racist! | Garry |
| It is time to reverse the appalling benefit system New Zealand currently has. | David |
| Please …. One nation .. One people | kabe |
| All because of Helen Clark and the Ardern cabal and their litany of lies. It is the thin edge of the wedge when it comes to “inverse” a partied. | William |
| there is no need for race based seats they need to go, the grift from Maori will never stop unless these special privilege’s are stopped & they come back & join the rest of New Zealand. | Nigel |
| yes yes yes | David |
| Radical , yes, apartheid, yes. Maori seats in both local body and central govt need to be abolished for the sake of NZ democracy. | Andrew |
| Yes. They are also a way for Maori to extort money. | David |
| Radicalized and racist. | Stevo |
| absolutely – Apartheid is alive & well in NZ at the moment | Jill |
| When you get the Waipa district council to force a developer to name a street with a Maori name and not the name of the family that just shows how radicalised they have become and that is the pressure that the ratepayers are on so get rid of Maori seats in central and local Governments . | Ken |
| The current govt and council leadership is weak | John |
| Same old Same old! give a maorie a bit of authority and inch by inch they want to own everything and have their say for their people !NOT what they are there for! if you are in office you do whats best for EVERYONE!!!! | Laurie |
| they are using them to ruin n z and should naver have been aloud | adrian |
| The issue – yes. And all the appointments by Hastings DC are not necessary. | Rodney |
| Equal rights allow for anyone to stand for council. . Race is not a requirement. One people with equal vote for all. | Don |
| Very concerned that many projects are stalled or stopped as they don’t comply with the ‘Treaty’ or the local tribe al use of the land | Peter |
| Matamata-Piako DC has one of those wo stated his job was to remind the Council of their obligations to Titty Ritty Waitangi. Not what he would do for Maori residents in the area. | Jenny |
| Radicalisation is unreal and unlawful in a free society. | Henk |
| luxon NEED reminding that he PROMISED to remove ALL N.Zealanders & done NOTHING.So email & remind him,he,s caved into lefties etc.ALSO EMAIL WINSTON it seems NZ First sticks up for NZealanders whats going on & I,m sure he,ll act for he,s woken up NOT like luxon. | Cindy |
| so will the country if the young people dont read and understand what happened in sth africa | Ian |
| The situation is out of hand. | Jerry |
| It’s obvious | Geofffrey |
| It should always be one person one vote either locally or nationally, NO free passes | Alastair |
| Very absolutely | Liz |
| we dont need them as they can get on councils the same as you and I | Eric |
| Of course, without question. Local Maori seats are just another step towards apartheid New Zealand, another nail in the democratic coffin of most New Zealanders. | Greg |
| Appeasement is hoping the crocodile will eat you last | Graham |
| And becoming more so as time passes and the Govt ignores the issue. | Gerry |
| Very much so! | Heather |
| You’re absolutely right: a “carefully crafted agenda” – local bodies have been taken over by stealth and untruths, giving Maori a disproportionate say in council’s decision-making. We’re heading down the same track as South Africa | Laurence |
| One only has to look at Kaipara District Council to see what could happen if they had a radical maori like Paniora on their commitee | Lawrie |
| No New Zealand government – central or local should be allowed to have representation based on race (or “culture” as it is confused with now). | Peter |
| Maori are as capable as all other NZers of standing in council elections. The only reason they want Wards is to further their “cause” at ratepayers expense. And they get away with it because other NZers are so apathetic they don’t get out to vote. | Bruce |
| Yes.There is no place for rade based decision making at any level | gale |
| Yes indeed. A resounding NO vote nationwide is essential. | Lenice |
| Of course they are. | Mike |
| Yes but that was the agenda right from the start. | Rex |
| What ever “Maori” is it is represented by a few… the balance not caring in much the same proportions as the European vote…. Until something happens that they disagree with …. and then they vote how they are told to vote | Rod |
| And they will hold NZ to ransom even more than they do now, if the wards are not removed! | Sheila |
| We all have the right to stand for council and to vote. There is absolutely no reason why Maori should have a free ride. Let them stand and win the right to be on Local body Councils | Suzanne |
| Maori not to be trusted, period! | Norman |
| Anything race based must be taken out of all conversations, all communications and anything else. | Elizabeth |
| There needs a sense of URGENCY to finally eliminate the Maorification of this great country. | Tony |
| 100% Maori apartheid writ large thanks to white liberals and their tribal activist enforcers combined with dishonest lefty media bias. Come on New Zealanders, stand up for yourselves and stop this racism. We are one people. | John |
| This BS maorification needs to stop | STEPHEN |
| The radicalisation has been underway for years as you have correctly pointed out, with consequent unseemly pressure on those reluctant to comply. The forthcoming vote of No to Maori Wards is important. | Peter |
| Another move by Maori to divide the country like Apartide! | David |
| And inside councils they have been very much so. | Dave |
| Race based seats are racist You need to change the arithmetic question I have memorised the answer | Owen |
| Special Maori seats, as well as the whole Maori electorate system, must be abolished | AndyE |
| Enough of this nonsense . | Paddy |
| This is the most horrific outcome for NZ where we are fighting among ourselves for a place in the world where the world does not care about us, it is disuniting us, when we should be together making NZ better in the world | Stuart |
| New Zealand is an aparteid state which will short or long disintergrate into chaos if race based systems are continued. | charles |
| The radicalised Maori have an agenda that is NOT in the best interests of all NZers, not even in the BEST interests of the majority of Maori. Its, dangerous and deceptive. | Maurice |
| The move to apartheid in the structure of our local bodies is not the expectation of the majority of New Zealanders who have seen the radicalisation of those councils that have implemented Maori seats. The expectation of the majority in this country is for democratic representation as the result of elections adhering to the legislation that dictates the open election of any New Zealander irrespective of their racial background. | Campbell |
| We certainly do need separate maori seats | Owen |
| Treacherously | Gordon |
| Get rid of not needed. | mike |
| Absolutely. It’s a disgrace! | Dianne |
| Radicalised by a very few cunning clever talking people | Ray |
| I dont understand why Maori can’t just be like everyone else and get voted on the Councils like anybody else. Because they are Maori why do they get special treatment ??? | Barbara |
| Both district and regional councils need a good wrapping for the wasteful spending on unproductive Maori expectations | Tony |
| We don’t have European Seats,so why have Maori Seats? We’re all Kiwi’s aren’t we. | malcolm |
| From the start! | Ken |
| The concept of separate wards and representatives based on race is apartheid | Murray |
| Most definitely. Maori are well and truly overrepresented in all levels of government in New Zealand | Grahame |
| If weak kneed whiteys let this apartheid system succeed, I’m GTFOOD. | larry |
| Do we NORMAL voters run petition signature forms in public places to attract attention to devious Maori/Labour actions?? WE ARE ALL EW ZEALANDERS -making, not dividing , our country. If Maori don’t vote, get medical assistance, resist an education, majority NZers in prisons etc that’s THEIR choice! You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink!!!! NO RIGHTS WITHOUT RESPONSIBILITIES!! | Lyn |
| I experienced property damage when I stated that a Maori seat was not necessary or appropriate at the local government level. My name and address were given out by a councillor to a radical group that attempted to do further property damage on two more occasions. | Dan |
| They are a platform for the establishment of an apartheid state! | Roger |
| One person , one vote irrespective of ethnicity. As pointed out in this article local councils did not sign the Treaty of Waitangi. We all in this together. | Rod |
| oBVIOUS | Thomas |
| The creation of Maori Wards should not have occurred in a democratic society. Our part Maori population have proven to be able to stand on their own merit and be elected. Just look at our parliamentary representation. The creation of these wards is tantamount to double dipping. | chris |
| most deffinitly | Keith |
| It is absolutely sickening that even as far back as Bradford and Shirley, the message has still not got through to the general population. It has been said often…enough is enough. This radical grab to create apartheid in NZ must cease and cease now. Luxon, listen up chum. | Neville |
| We can’t afford division in today’s society | Neville |
| Abolish please | Julz |
| WE ARE ALL ONE PEOPLE. Abolish maori seats on local bodies | william |
| The Maori seats are not only radicalised they are corrupt and anti democratic. They are filled with tribal gangsters and bullying thugs. | John |
| There is no doubt in my mind that Maori seat holders promote Maori interests above those of the average person’s wishes within each District Council voting area. This smacks of Apathied. | Trevor |
| Yes – they are no different to the Parliamentary Maori seats. All should be abolished. | pdm |
| Time for Maori wards to GO. | Judith |
| It is not a fair voting process, in fact there is no democratic vote it is by appointment which is not democratic | MALCOLM |
| The radical Maori’s are set to ruin New Zealand & must be stopped. | David |
| For sure. Everything to do with Maori has become radicalised! | Jim |
| Here comes Zimbabwe of the Pacific. Land grabs next. | Eileen |
| It seems the media and the Luxon Party seem determined to divide once united New Zealand into self determined radical racial groups as the fiscal, educational and medical standards are reported in this country – thus it seems by design – are steadily declining ! | Stuart |
| Obvious | Graham |
| Its easy to see what the maori agenda is. Notice that what they have been going after is stuff like fresh water etc where they can clip the ticket but don’t have to do any work and the rest of the country do the work and paying for it. And so it goes on and on. Why do they have to be spoon fed all the time. We see refugees and immigrants from poor countries come here with bugger all and in a few years they are self sufficient and prospering. The likes of Sir Apirana Ngata must look down with disgust at these part maori radicals and their racist ways. | Peter |
| Absolutely !!! We have a disgruntled Maori with massive chips on their shoulders for what reason I do not know as there is more done for them and given to them than any other race in the World. We were a happy Country once but after the Treaty of Waitangi Act was introduced in 1975 it all changed. Instead of being 50% or more Maori blood to be entitled to any benefit of any kind it became from say 1% UP which is ridiculous of course We have liberal politicians, teachers, and businesses indoctrinated by the wrong Treaty and are all too gutless to stand up to Iwi or any Maori organisation. The correct Treaty is the 1922 version by Sir Apriana Ngata but the correctness of this Treaty has been discarded in favour of the Freeman version which is farcical but suits the Maori’s ambitions and grievances. Get rid of ALL Maori seats and remove them from all facets of our lives before we become another Europe but with local divisiveness. | Alan |
| greed. | steph |
| race based seats on local councils are not compatible with democratic concepts | Gerhard |
| Most definitely | Peter |
| Terrible!! | Bruce |
| Here in Taupo local tribe Tuwhaetoa now have a firm grip on the local council to the extent that they own the building the council rents and of course all of their advantages are not enough -the tribe wants more. | Roger |
| So called Maori are also Immigrants to those Islands, called New Zealand. | Peter |
| The Maori Party is the leader of the radicals and should be removed from Parliament accordingly. | Chris |
| Maori are over represented in local government. This is perpetuating apartheid in New Zealand and will lead to civil war. I notice there are no South Island councils on this list except Nelson, so have ratepayers and councils been intimidated by Iwi tribes? Shame, shame on you all! | Diana |
| Any that aren’t soon will be radicalised, if they are not completely done away with! This process is straight out of a Marxist playbook. What the heck is so special about Maori that causes us to expend so much of our Nations treasure and resources on their wants and needs, over and above those of other New Zealand citizens – can anyone tell me? We have one more chance to sort this out once and for all, next October, or the New Zealand we know and love will be gone forever, like South Africa! | Scott |
| No allowance was made for a manufactured Maori under-representation. Very clever manoeuvre, no great loss in the short term and major gains in the near future, starting now. It will likely will work given the polarisation of a reduced Pakeha community. Maori are under-represented J. Ardern’s naivete is breathtaking. Luxon is almost equally at fault. Tamihere and Jackson are toying with them. | Lawrence |
| no need for maori wards ,candidates standing for local council are voted in ,not of right based on race | peter |
| The horse has bolted | Iain |
| God yes…… ALL Maori stuff is taken over by radicals with agendas | Gill |
| From the 42 remaining councils only 1 in the SI, Nelson, is holding a referendum. That shows how much ratepayers are included in council decisions. Disgusting and disgraceful. | Trevor |
| without question | Chris |
| Yes, too much imbalanced influence, no one can see the consequences of Maori racism . Maori will never be fair and objective. Maoris agenda is to enslave the very people who dragged them out of the wood age, gave them an alphabet so they could read and write their own language. | Kathryn |
| There is no place in NZ either in central government or local bodies to continue to entertain these race based seats, nor elected Maori representation with voting rights not afforded to the general population. Maori is not a race – it originally meant all people and it has taken on an increasingly sinister set of rights and erroneously construed promissory obligations due. | Mike |
| It is more than clearly observable . Most importantly though , the appointment of paid unelected Maori to Councils with voting rights , by Councils is totally contradictory to democracy . It is not on and Government must put a stop to it . | Hugh |
| Absolutely! | Alastair |
| Yes, they are unnecessary. Everyone should have an equal chance to stand for a seat. | Kelly |
| These seats allow maori to tip the balance of co governance to more than 50% so they can steal all ratepayer assets to iwi | Trevor |
| Maori lose their Mana by accepting mandatory positions. | Geoffrey |
| Very | Gary |
| It is time that radical Part-Maori accepted that we are tied by the Treaty to the Westminster Electoral system with equality for all New Zealanders of all ethnicities. | Bryan |
| Radicalization is a pernicious trend throughout all areas of NZ’s political life, including local government. Time to reverse this trend is running out. Action in October 2025 is the last chance. | mary |
| Come and see the FNDC in the Far North | Chester |
| Clearly Maori seats part of a separatist agenda. Maori are able to get on councils the same as anyone else. What is worse is that these councilors don’t work for the common good, but push their radical separatist agenda. Enough – this must be voted out. | Bill |
| If I challenged Maori with the words. Do you believe you are less able than other citizens and therefore need special priveleges over every other NZ citizen so you can prosper financially. Their reply would be how dare you say that. Well just have a look at the millions your tribes already have and it all came through the word you radical Maoris hate; Colonization. Every thing you have is because of that. You are no different to any other Kiwi now. In fact every this is true in every Nation around the world we all have the same needs and when we come into the modern world and have knowledge then we can function on a level playing field. Separate sovereingty is what you want so you can have fifty percent of the wealth of this Nation to run your own Nation. Unfortunately many people are unaware if this and it looks like a Government we elected to put an end to this is now compromising. Specially the Prime Minister. | Dene |
| The few radical Maoris are dictating to the country and the press. | Chris |
| Not only do we have the Maori seats BUT we have 4 unelected Maori sitting on the Council Committees – with voting rights and expenses etc paid etc. | John |
| A long term plan is well under way. | Ann |
| Anything to do with Maori is radicalised. I’m sick of it | Janne |
| Just having Maori seats is radical. | Grant |
| Of course they have! Its the way any minority group gains unfair inequality over others – They utilise radicalised behaviour. | Andrew |
| One country one government under the sun. All who can work should work if they want their children to survive and real social services to continue. | john |
| is the Pope Catholic? | Michael |
| Upper Hutt as well as Kaipara. | Brent |
| I note 39 of the 42 are North Island | Neville |
| People vote for the best people for the job. Maori are just as good in most cases but need to put their names forward if they wish to get elected! | Helen |
| It needs to end | Martin |
| Just like the Parliamentary seats they need to go. | Peter |
| Absolutely they have | Gail |
| Definitely, NZ is a Democracy and these Maori seats must go | Frank |
| Very much so | Karen |
| Yes they have . what is going to happen next if we don’t vote against this . | ROB |
| Definitely | Ann |
| course they have, it is just so entrenched know, and there is such a left wing agenda in new Zealand its going to take a lot to change it and half these councilors are not worth the ground they stand on | rodger |
| Tribal power grab’ deserves sending to the ‘black hole of history’… | Chris |
| We do not want apartheid in nz ever | Cam |
| Definitely | Barry |
| Your right they are and the number will increase if this vote goes against the topic | Richard |
| This APARTHEID in NZ MUST be exposed for the insidious, anti democratic evil it has become. Even if we need to enlist the help of the outside world to do so, the way anti apartheid campaigners in South Africa did. | Geoffrey |
| Of course they have what you expect the sooner they are abolished the better | Peter |
| Totally | John |
| The under educated brainwashed idiots have no place in councils | chris |
| Any citizen no matter what race or colour in New Zealand can stand for a local Body Election. There is no rational reason for that to change. Vote NO to any proposed Maori seats | Helen |
| Apartheid is alive and well in NZ. Driven by Maori | Bill |
| NO BLOODY APARTHEID IN NZ !!!!! PUT YOU NAME FORWARD JUST LIKE OTHER NZ’ers DO & TAKE YOUR CHANCES IN THE VOTE. THAT IS DEMOCRACY!!!!! | Honest Dave |
| Radicals are out to destroy the colonisers. Thats you and me folks. | Alan |
| They have totally! | Neville |
| Everything Maori has become radicalised for decades now. Time to reverse the rot. | Scott |
| I lived for a number of years on the West Coast and the Grey District Council has a Maori representative on Council (it is not a Maori Ward), so he was invited to the table, and his viewpoint is very welcomed. Yet the members of ‘Maori Seats’ in Local Council seem to have a hard time to differentiate the protocols of Local Council from the Marae. | Lucina |
| We are on a slippery slope and we have to put a stop to this as the radicalisation is becoming the norm. | Murray |
| Very much so. | Lee |
| There is no pace for these in a true democracy | john |
| It’s totally unacceptable | Peter |
| The whole Maori tribal system is a vast threat to democracy. Co leader of the Maori party quite openly said he was no fan of democracy. So they try and destroy it. Tribalism is an abomination in 2025 as the only beneficiaries are the leaders who grow very rich off the backs of everyone else. They have received $4 billion in compensation but they still want more an more until the rest of NZ is bankrupt. Stop their greed and power now. | Laura |
| The local body Maori seats should never been introduced as they are racist . No other group has special rights for representation in local government. | Wayne |
| The seats should be scrapped | Peter |
| Best candidate for the job regardless of colour or creed. | Ray |
| What hasn’t? | Bev |
| I’m in Kaipara and I was so pleased to see the mayor and team doing the right thing. The ones who voted against abolishing the Maori seat will regret that I think. | Hilda |
| 1 man one vote everybody should be the same | phil |
| There need to be no racial differences in New Zealand. It is NOT HELPFUL and a Hindrance! | dominique greenslade |
| Without doubt, the Maori seats have been deliberately redicalised. | Caren |
| We are all New Zealanders | Ross & Lee |
| HUGELY. Yet ANOTHER example of apartied/reverse RACISM. It MUST be stopped NOW before our NEW ZEALAND is totally stuffed. | Brian |
| Yes most definitely | Alec |
| The Council here cannot open a meeting or Citizenship Ceremony etc without a”Powhiri” and seem to have a “renta-mob” to do it at the least excuse. The country is stuffed. I think it is too late but please “God Defend New Zealand” anyway!!!! | Bruce |
| They have now become racist and no longer required if we are to be all equal as Kiwis | Richard |
| Absolutely, the only way forward is colour blind !!!!!! | Brian |
| I think so !! | Murray |
| Shouldn’t be any Maori seats. It’s just racist | Dave |
| We’re just so sickened by the demands and radicalism of a small group of misfits with a smidgeon of inherited Maoriness. Just wish they’d bugger off back to Taiwan or wherever they strayed from. But nothing will change while National hold the majority in the Coalition. I just hope Nats are abandoned at next years general election – there are too many treacherous National MPs who would sell their own mothers for a dollar to the WEF for money and to hell with us average NZers. I’m too old now to leave, but my 13 family members are ready to abandon if Things don’t change immensely next year. Luxon must go with his Sir and bucket of $$$ reward from the WEF for the chaos he has continued on from Ardern, to create. | Carolyn |
| It’s beyond time that we re-examined history to remind everyone that Europeans didn’t colonise NZ, we conquered it.. Maori were just fortunate that Queen Victoria wanted minimal bloodshed. Had her father, the Spanish, the French or the Dutch been there first, they would’ve massacred the lot. A reminder also that this is part of the New World Order’s grab for land under indigenous rights, where they grease the palms of the corruptible so we all become slaves or statistics to the Global Elite. | Katie |
| YES THEY HAVE BECOME JUST A B****Y NUCINCE VALUE | Bill |
| Its basically apartheid | Fiona |
| We do not want New Zealand to continue to fracture as it currently is over racial matters. In this time of economic stress we want everyone to pull together to make this a better country for ALL. | Denis |
| You only need to look at the performance by the bar code menacing acts of the protestors in Kaipara when the vote was being taken to get rid of maori seats, what a disgrace | Peter |
| The obvious question is always asked and there is only one answer,of course they are because one thing radical maoris are not,is stupid. They know white New Zealand are too complacent to go against the flow.If anyone stirs it up they are racist rather than truthful or activists.When whites wake up it will be too late. | Peter |
| It’s apartheid otherwise | Greg |
| No need for separate representation | DAVID |
| It seems everything that the Maori are involved in its all about how bad colonisation has been and still is holding them back | Chris |
| The “entitled” radical activists are in the process of ruining NZ, and the economy, by causing racialized friction thus holding up essential development – not to mention increasing costs to do business. | Dane |
| SEGREGATION. ENOUGH | mike |
| You’ve only got to look at the Maori party and see how it’s changed | Edward |
| Maorification is rampant and must be reined in. | Glyn |
| They have become extremely racist and demanding | Jim |
| One country one people. While Maori were the first to colonize NZ. They gave their sovereignty away for the protection of Queen Victoria. In a world dominated by Royal families. Eventually Queen Victoria gave Maori the same rights as the English. And the same laws applied to all. | Bob |
| They are pure appartheid and must go | John |
| Time to dump all apartheid agenda | collin |
| Of course they have | Roy |
| Thank God Mahuta has gone | RICHard |
| HELL YES !!! | Robin |
| Yes, it has become ridiculous. | Kim |
| Local body Maori Seats should be abolished as they represent race-based policy that is counter productive to democarcy. | Merren |
| About time they were abolished | Carl |
| The evidence for this being so is before us all via main stream media on almost a daily basis. | Tony |
| Absolutely and it is way past time to be abolished. | Robyn |
| As have the parliamentary seats | Rod |
| You just have to read the edicts issued by the lcal council | Jon |
| Interestingly only 2 South Island councils are on that list. Obviously more pragmatic people down there. | Rod |
| Unless we mass protest, vote no whenever possible, the maoris will takeover New Zealand and we will be financially ruined forever, both personally and nationally. N Z government will cease to exist as we know it. We cannot allow New Zealand to go the same way as Rhodesia and South Africa. | Koreen |
| When Queing and a Maori person steeps in front and claims there right , to push in . | Murray |
| It seems like everything relating to Maori is radicalised and/or weaponised | Gareth |
| They need to be removed | Gavin |
| We don’t need them! as it is anyone can put their name in as a candidate!!! | Les |
| It is all wrong. Maori seats have no place in local Govt. I am expecting a lot of opposition against the seats and what I fear is that they will tamper with the results to make it look like voters are ok with this. If no tampering with voting results takes place and Maori seats are rejected I fear they will not walk away and accept the reality that they are not wanted. They will become more aggressive in their stance and act accordingly. | Michael |
| Believe this new system is being used as a weapon against the bulk of the population and over representation even reverse apartheid. Bullies | Derek |
| TRIBALISM PA EXCELLENCE | Bryan |
| More undemocrate agenda’s. Separatism/racism. Apartheid here we come | Humphrey |
| The totally untruthful rhetoric from the likes of Willy Jackson and Nanaia Mahuta, amplified by our propaganda establishments, aka mainstream media, have dealt a severe blow to New Zealand’s democracy. Sadly, too many of the population are sufficiently “dumbed down” to the point they cannot or will not think for themselves, unwittingly offering themselves up sacrificially to the radicalization gods. Maori Wards cannot be justified in law, unless created subject to rigorous democratic process, including the right to petition for disestablishment. | Richard |
| Many have, and the rest will follow for sure. Then it will be a circus just like Te Pati Maori in Parliament. | Greg |
| It’s easy to blame the Government for not doing enough to stop the tribal takeover of New Zealand. They are forever and always the direct cause of our apartheid Ethnostate situation we find ourselves in. We don’t hate our government enough for what they have deliberately done to Gods own New Zealand over the last 50 years, behind closed doors, without the people’s mandate and using taxpayers sweat equity to do it. The buck stops with them, PERIOD. Now its up to us to STOP COMPLYING with this by government deception we shall handover NZ to the part Maori Iwi corporations agenda. | neil |
| Everything today is about Maori | Ray |
| Yes, it’s just another forum for separatists to create division. | |
| Racialism | Tony |
| Of course, was bound to happen. When one portion of the population is given any special rights, that is potentially damaging to the country. | Hugh J |
| The sooner they’re gone the better. | Brenda |
| Absolute no need for them at all! Definition needs to be ” ability to prove greater than 1/32 of maori blood” If you can not prove, no race based support at all! The tax payers are being bleed dry these people! Solo mothers should only get benifit for one child only. Allocate them contraceptive treatment if needed. | Mark |
| Yes they have become radicalised. Maori radicals are only their for monetary gain and complete takeover of New Zealand. Leeches and parasites bleeding councils dry and increased rates for all. Craig Jepson should receive a knighthood for services to Kaipara and alerting the rest of the country to the dangers right in front of us. I can just imagine the pressures Craig has been put under. We need more people like you running local and central government. | Allan M |
| we also need to look at how we can whittle the number of mayoral candidates down to two as some councils have 13 standing and one can be elected with very few votes | Alan |
| Absolutely the Maori seats have been radicalised. It is imperative that each council referendum results in the abolition of Maori wards. The future of the country depends on it. | Darren |
| Maori have complete control of our Regional Council. It is an appalling state of affairs. I will do all I can to motivate opposition to Maori seats. I just hope ACT, NZ First, and National are planning to do the same! | Mathew |
| It’s not just the Maori seats that need abolishing on councils – it’s the whole shooting box of special Maori rights and agreements as well. | Phillip |
| Thank you Frank Newman and Craig Jepson for shining light on what has gone on with Kaipara’s disastrous Maori seat. But why on earth are you not standing again, Craig? The district and the country needs people like you with the courage to stand up for what you believe. | Amelia |
| This article about Maori seats should be published in every newspaper in the country to alert New Zealanders to the crucial importance of the referenda and the critical need to remove the stranglehold that tribal activists already have on councils. | Simon |