City councillor Jill Day tabled the notice of motion that led to the council establishing a Māori ward. READ MORE:* Ōtorohanga District Council votes for Māori ward* Wellington City Council set to establish Māori ward next year* Invercargill City Council to decide on Māori Ward in MayCouncillor Iona Pannett said the decision marked a “great day” for Wellington, while colleague Teri O’Neill said the council had a “moral responsibility” to give Māori a greater voice at the council table. The Māori electoral population, made up of people on the Māori electoral roll and a portion of non-enrolled Māori, stands at 9400. Based on those numbers, Wellington qualified for one councillor elected from a Māori ward, although that number could increase if the Māori population or electoral roll increased. Residents on the Māori electoral roll will vote in the Māori ward instead of their geographic ward, but they can vote separately for the mayor and community boards.

Source: Stuff May 12, 2021 23:57 UTC