A resounding success with 78.8 per cent saying ‘no' to Maori Wards for the Western Bay of Plenty District Council. Democracy prevails.

Two days before the result was announced, however, most of council and the Mayor, bar three councillors, decided to agree to a remit sent through from Horowhenua Council bound for LGNZ, then government. Undemocratically signed to ban we people from being allowed to democratically vote as we just have done. They want Maori wards to be of right for our council.

What happened to the will of the people? They could have waited until the Monday to see the result, but guessing what the result would be, they deceitfully went ahead on their own agenda and signed.

WBOPDC already has something like 13 Maori representatives who are paid to come to council meetings regularly to have input into council decisions. How many more do they require?

Many of us who placed a submission to the LTP for WBOPDC have almost begged that they start listening to their ratepayers before making major decisions. This council has an astounding arrogance and just ignores their ratepayers, which is at their peril. Remember election time next year. How about considering resigning now? Put us all out of our misery and give the purse strings a break!

C Humphreys, Katikati.