Ngāti Kahugnunu is disappointed with the results of the Māori Ward referendum, where only two Councils that impact its iwi are retaining Māori Wards, the South Wairarapa District Council and the Greater Wellington Regional Council (Wairoa also retain theirs). Councils that have lost their Māori Wards are many and include, Hastings District Council, Napier City Council, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Tararua District Council and Masterton District Council.

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi, which represents a substantial Māori population across the east coast of the North Island, has long championed the cause of greater Māori participation and representation in local governance structures. Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Inc. Chair Bayden Barber comments, “This is a deep blow to Māori representation at Council tables across our iwi. Despite our best efforts to mobilise voters to support Māori Wards, we have come up short across a large number of Councils throughout our rohe. He mamae tō te iwi i te kore tautoko i ngā Wāri Māori, we are hurting with the loss of Māori representation across our iwi.”

Barber, a past Hastings District Councillor, says that Ngāti Kahungunu will continue to support the aspirations of candidates standing for Local Councils. Adds Barber, “It is vital that Councils hear the voices of our people at these important decision-making tables. Whilst we are disappointed at these results, we will pivot to support our Māori candidates to succeed in general ward seats from 2028. We are up for this challenge.”

Despite the iwi’s disappointment, Barber remains optimistic about the future of Ngāti Kahungunu. He continues, “We have some exciting kaupapa coming up over the next few months, including the Iron Māori Triathlon, Toitū Te Reo Symposium, the inaugural Kahungunu Health Authority Wānanga and our annual Splash Planet Iwi Day/ Pā Wars/ AGM in November. The sun is out and summer is upon us. It’s a great time to be in Ngāti Kahungunu.”

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Inc. congratulates all the successful Mayor and Councillor candidates across the rohe and pays tribute to those Mayors and Councillors who won’t be returning, for their contributions to their communities over the years.

Note:

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated is a Mandated Iwi Organisation/Authority. Ngāti Kahungunu is the third largest iwi. Geographically the tribe has the second longest coastline in the country from Paritū in the North to Turakirae in the South. Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated maintains an independent position to provide research, advice and advocate for the interests, rights, values, beliefs and practices of Ngāti Kahungunu alongside our whānau and hapū. Our mission is to enhance the mana and well-being of Ngāti Kahungunu.

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