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The Kaipara Mayor says the vote to disestablish the council's M\u0101ori ward could go either way.\xa0

Kaipara District Council could become the first to remove the Te Moananui o Kaipara M\u0101ori ward under new legislation.\xa0

Councillors are meeting in Mangawhai today to vote on the decision, with protests also expected.\xa0

Mayor Craig Jepson called the meeting just 24 hours after the new law kicked in.\xa0

Jepson told Mike Hosking he doesn't think there's any need for M\u0101ori Wards\xa0

He says it'll be a democratic process, but he just hopes intimidation doesn't change councillors' votes.\xa0

Councils have until September 6 to make a decision, with a number of councils leaning towards retention.\xa0

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