Invercargill Councillors Halt Māori Ward Plan | Auckland News

Auckland News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 28, 2026 · 1m

Invercargill councillors have paused plans to create a Māori ward after hearing strong opposition from key local iwi groups, who warned the proposal would limit voting power for Māori roll members. The mayor affirmed that respecting these communities’ clear stance was crucial, citing past precedent. While Te Rūnaka o Awarua and Waihōpai Rūnaka currently hold appointed seats without full voting rights — one of which has been vacant since February — the council reaffirmed its commitment to First Past the Post elections, rejecting a switch to ranked-choice voting. Any future changes will be…