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The Coalition Government is using racist ideology to justify its moves to reduce Maori influence in local government, a constitutional expert says.
A select committee is hearing views on Simeon Brown’s amendment to the Local Government Act to again subject Māori electorates to a binding referendum – and to put the issue on next year’s local election ballot for councils with Māori electorates.
Dr Carwyn Jones, of Victoria University of Wellington, said parliaments with Māori electorates after 2021 had reported improved Māori participation and a better ability to meet treaty obligations.
They also face significant unbudgeted costs from government reforms.
“A lot of the issues that were raised in the coalition agreement were like, there wasn’t any policy work done to really articulate or define what the issues were, and they were really just based on ideology and racist ideology,” Jones said.
Some councils have spoken out against proposed reforms to local government (Electoral and Maori electoral districts amendment bill.
The changes will require councils to hold a binding poll at the 2025 local election if they have established a Māori electorate since 2020 but have not held one.
Waikato Regional Council, Waipa District Council and Taupo District Council are among a number of local authorities across the country to voice opposition to the changes.
Peter Verschaffelt, Waatea.News.Com
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