After the local body elections: a constructive path on Māori wards for Te Tauihu

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua (TRoNR) acknowledges the outcome of the recent local body elections across Te Tauihu and the national debate surrounding Māori wards.

We congratulate those elected to Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council, and Marlborough District Council and reaffirm our commitment to practical, solutions-focused partnership for the good of all communities.

“Our view here is simple: representation that improves decisions,” says Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua Pouwhakahaere (CEO) Shane Graham.

“Whatever each council’s starting point, we can choose an approach to Māori participation that is locally grounded, nationally coherent, and demonstrably useful for better outcomes on the big issues - water, whenua, housing, resilience, and regional prosperity.”

Practical programme proposed

“Regardless of where each council landed in this election cycle, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua proposes a steady, practical programme for Te Tauihu:

Commit to an evidence-led local review (within six months).

Assess how different participation models (Māori wards, mana whenua seats, joint committees, statutory partnerships, delegated decision-making, co-design panels change decision quality, timeliness, and trust.

Lock in Treaty-capable governance - ward or no ward.

Establish and strengthen standing committees and working groups with clear delegations and decision rights for Treaty-linked portfolios.

Adopt capability standards for elected members and officials on Te Tiriti, hapū/iwi engagement, and cultural safety.

A note on fear and opportunity

We recognise that new arrangements can feel risky. In the 1990s, some predicted grave social and economic consequences from Treaty settlements. The opposite transpired: iwi investments and social services have strengthened regional economies and communities.

Hamilton’s recent vote to retain its Māori ward hints at that same journey - from uncertainty to confidence grounded in experience. The opportunity before Te Tauihu is to design what works here and show the country what durable, Treaty-capable local governance looks like.

“Kia pai te noho - let’s make the relationships good,” Shane says.

“Our invitation to Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough is to implement a practical model that lifts decisions and trust. We’re ready to get on with it.”

About Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua:

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua represents the interests of Ngāti Rārua uri across Te Tauihu. We work with councils, agencies, and communities to advance outcomes grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, and long-term regional wellbeing.