Craig Jepson: Kaipara Mayor on the new Māori ward law requiring they're put to referendum - Early Edition on Newstalk ZB

A Northland mayor is hailing the new law that requires Māori wards to be put to referendum as a win for democracy.  

The coalition Government is introducing a bill allowing communities to petition for binding polls on Māori ward decisions.  

It reverses legislation from the previous Government that ensured councils would not have wards overturned through public referendum.  

Kaipara mayor Craig Jepson told Mike Hosking he believes a lot of Māori would support the new bill.  

He says the previous laws were condescending to Māori and don't acknowledge them as hard-working people. 

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