And as the first Māori and youngest ever Mayor of the Far North, Tepania, 33, is well on the way. Historically, when councils have introduced Māori wards, they have been overturned by ratepayer-led referendums (see “Barrier returns”, page 26). It’s not only because we have Moko as mayor, it’s because we have our four Māori ward councillors as well. With the passing of Labour’s Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act, 38 district and regional councils established Māori wards for the 2022 election. In a survey by stuff.co.nz, councils with Māori wards overwhelmingly thought they had been a positive addition to their organisation.
