Councillor Vince Cocurullo (standing) speaks against his council voting for Māori seats at its November meetingFive Whangārei District councillors are seeking to overturn their council’s vote for Māori wards. Councillor Vince Cocurullo said the challenge sought to have Whangārei District Council's (WDC) November decision for Māori representation on council rescinded. Te Kārearea Strategic Partnership Forum Standing Committee is the council's formal Māori standing committee. On November 3, WDC’s 8:6 vote for Māori wards saw Cocurullo, Deeming, Halse, Martin, Reid and Cr Jayne Golightly vote against introducing the wards. Electoral Officer Dale Ofsoske said under the March legislation change, electors could no longer demand a binding poll on WDC’s Māori wards decision.

Source: Stuff March 17, 2021 22:41 UTC