Under the Local Electoral Act 2001 some Maoris would be allowed to vote for the Maori ward councillor(s), some would be disqualified from voting for the Maori ward councillor(s) and the Maori ward councillor(s) could be non-Maoris.

The Act provides that only Maoris on the Maori electoral roll (and who are eligible to vote in the Tauranga City Council elections) are eligible to vote for councillors for the Maori ward.

Maoris on the general electoral roll may not vote for councillors for the Maori ward.

In addition, Maoris on the Maori electoral roll would not be eligible to vote for candidates who stand for their suburb- ward. For example, if a Maori on the Maori electoral roll resided in Papamoa, he or she would not eligible to vote for the Papamoa ward councillors.

Read the petition [The Weekend Sun, Oct 30, page 18].

For the 2022 local body elections, the existing councillors have to decide, before 31 August 2021, whether there will be councillors at large and/or councillors of wards and the number of councillors at large or in each ward. There must be a minimum of six councillors or a maximum of 30 councillors (including the mayor).

M Capamagian, Bethlehem