8936 (2024). Celia Wade-Brown to the Minister of Local Government

8936 (2024). Celia Wade-Brown to the Minister of Local Government: How will the Minister ensure local councils have sufficient mechanisms to fulfil their Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership obligations if referendums for Māori wards are reinstated?

Hon Simeon Brown: Under the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act), local authorities must establish and maintain processes to provide opportunities for Māori to contribute to the decision-making processes of the local authority. They must also consider ways to foster the development of Māori capacity to contribute to the decision-making processes of the local authority. Local authorities must also have in place processes for consulting with Māori in accordance with the Principles of Consultation under section 82 of the Act.