Podcasts Other The Mike Hosking Breakfast Nigel Bowen: Timaru Mayor says the Government's Maori ward changes make sense

Nigel Bowen: Timaru Mayor says the Government's Maori ward changes make sense

Published: June 25, 2024, 8:12 p.m.

66% of New Zealand's mayors have signed a letter against the Government's M\u0101ori ward changes but one mayor says it's a good thing.\xa0

A Parliament select committee's recommended the M\u0101ori Wards Bill go ahead.\xa0

It will force councils which established M\u0101ori wards since 2021 to hold a referendum in next year's local election on whether they should stay.\xa0

Timaru Mayor Nigel Bowen didn't sign onto the letter and told Mike Hosking that the Government's proposal makes sense.\xa0

He says if councils want to make changes to local democracy by adding the wards, they should have to go to the people.\xa0

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