Wilson, who has written extensively on the issue, talks to The Detail today about how Māori wards work in the same way as Māori seats in national politics. The bill has been criticised by opposition politicians as rushed and anti-democratic but Wilson says the attacks on Māori wards are "throwback racism". Whakatāne mother of four boys, Toni Boynton, also talks to The Detail's Sharon Brettkelly about her battle to introduce Māori Wards. Boynton's group, Te Rōpū Tautoko Māori, campaigned for Māori wards and led a hikoi in Whakatāne after a referendum overturned the council's decision to establish a Māori ward. Boynton says she's become "desensitised" to the racism she has received throughout life and she experienced while campaigning for Māori wards.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 08, 2021 18:00 UTC