Local Electoral (Repeal of Race-Based Representation) Amendment Bill - First Reading (22 Nov 2006)

Hon TONY RYALL (National—Bay of Plenty) : I move, That the Local Electoral (Repeal of Race-Based Representation) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. The bill that I have moved and am debating tonight is a bill designed to repeal those provisions of local government law that provide for separate Māori wards and constituencies in local authorities. At present the Local Electoral Act provides for an option of separate Māori wards and constituencies at district and regional council level, and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (Maori Constituency Empowering) Act 2001 mandates such seats in that region. If this bill passes, it will repeal the provisions of the Local Government Act that allow there to be separatist race-based legislation, or race-based seats on councils—
Hon Dover Samuels: Have you got the support of the Māori Party to do that?
Hon TONY RYALL:—I would not think so—and also to remove the provisions of that Act in respect of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. The outcome will be that there will be no racially based electoral representation in local government.
https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/48HansD_20061122_00001409/local-electoral-repeal-of-race-based-representation

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