Wellington City Council
Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Māori) Ward
This is a historic election for Pōneke/Wellington and for tangata whenua.
From around 16 September until election day, 8 October 2022,
you can vote in local body elections.
This year across ngā motu a number of local bodies, including Wellington City Council will offer Māori voters the chance to vote for Māori candidates in Māori wards.
To vote for me in Pōneke/Wellington you will need to be
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enrolled on the Māori electoral roll (as for a general election)
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live in the Wellington City Council rohe (or be eligible to vote here)
Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Māori) ward covers the entire Wellington City Council area.
The other existing wards remain, but voters on the Māori electoral roll will vote for candidates in the new Māori ward which covers the entire city.
Council votes for Māori Ward in Pōneke, 13 May 2021.
The following is from Wellington City Council, read more here
Wards are a way of dividing the city for elections to enable communities of interest to elect representatives.
Wellington City is currently divided into 5 wards, Takapū/Northern Ward, Wharangi/Onslow-Western Ward, Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward, Motukairangi/Eastern Ward, and Paekawakawa/Southern Ward.
The establishment of a Māori ward is one way Council may choose to have representation of a community of interest. Instead of grouping electors by geographic location like other wards, all electors who are on the Māori electoral roll will vote in the Māori ward.
If you are on the Māori roll you would also be able to vote for:
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The Mayor
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Any community boards (if you live in the appropriate area)
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Any Councillors elected at-large (Wellington currently has no Councillors elected at large)
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The Greater Wellington Regional Council
The only difference between voting for those on the Māori roll and the general roll is that those on the Māori roll vote for candidates standing for the Māori ward instead of the general ward. All other votes are the same.
Meet The Team
I am privileged to be the New Zealand Labour Party candidate for the new Māori ward.
This is important because it means, if elected, I can hit the ground running with the support and experience of other successful Labour Party candidates.
It also means I will have a head start for support with any kaupapa.
Who is on the team?
Councillor Rebecca Matthews-Heron, Wharangi/Onslow-Western ward
Councillor Teri O'Neill, Motukairangi/Eastern ward
Candidate Ben McNulty, Takapū/Northern ward
Candidate Nurredin M Abdurahman, Paekawakawa/Southern ward
Candidate Afnan AL-Rubayee, Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward
Apart from pulling pints in London and waiting tables in Scotland my whole life is Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
That includes a degree from Victoria University in anthropology and geography. This goes someway in explaining my priority interest in Pōneke being a city for humans.
That’s why I will back policy that supports the city as a place for people to live. I support affordable living and housing. I support infrastructure to support high quality living.
The creation of a dedicated Māori ward is the result of the New Zealand Labour Party. Driving the kaupapa locally is Labour Party endorsed councillor Jill Day (Ngāti Tuwharetoa). That’s why I reached out to the Labour Party to stand in the ward. I am grateful that they have selected me to contest the election.
It’s very important that we Māori seize these opportunities. To be effective I will need to work with diverse opinions and process information. A challenge I will relish.
I have extensive relationship management experience. I’m a natural coalition builder and influencer. I value mutually-beneficial relationships. I give considered thought to issues. I view from many perspectives. And when I speak it’s with a strong voice.
A lone Māori voice on Council is ineffective. My skillset will achieve results.
I am committed to increasing and supporting Māori participation in all aspects of life in Pōneke. This city is the centre of Te Ao. We enjoy opportunities that no other city affords Māori. I welcome tangata whenua from across ngā motu.
Haere mai. Come study here. Come work here. Come live here. As a proud Te Āti Awa I manaaki to ngā uri o ngā hau e whā.