This was one of the items on the Agenda of Thursday’s meeting and basically is what had been mentioned previously. One of the three District-wide seats becomes a Maori ward elected by those on the Maori roll. The other two are elected by those on the general roll. Otherwise things remain as they are now. Here follows an extract from the notice the council has subsequently posted.

Having considered all submissions, on 31 October 2024, Kāpiti Coast District Council resolved that the initial proposal be adopted, subject to the following three amendments:

  • The proposed name of the Māori ward be amended to Kapiti Coast Māori Ward
  • The proposed boundary between the Waikanae and Ōtaki General Wards and Community Boards remains in its current place and is not moved south past Te Hapua Road
  • The membership of the Paraparaumu Community Board includes one ward councillor appointed back from either the Paraparaumu General Ward or the Kapiti Coast Māori Ward.

Council considers that the amendments are appropriate for the following reasons:

  • Mana whenua submitted that they support the name of the Māori ward if the proposed macron on Kāpiti is removed. Council considered its options and considers it is appropriate for mana whenua to gift a name to the ward which Council has received and accepted.
  • Analysis of the submissions received from those residents in the Te Horo area directly affected by the proposed boundary changes highlighted that the majority of the affected residents preferred to retain the status quo rather than move the boundary south to Te Hapua Road. Council considered its options and decided to accept these submissions and not change the boundary lines.
  • Councillors discussed the discrepancy between councillor appointments on community boards and considered that making the appointments more equitable and consistent by only appointing once councillor to each community board is appropriate.

    This removes the discrepancy between community boards and sees only one councillor of either the Paraparaumu General Ward or the Kapiti Coast Māori Ward appointed to the Paraparaumu Community Board (instead of two).

If Mana Whenua want the macron over the a in Kapiti removed for their ward name, why doesn’t the council do that on everything as we and some iwi have been agitating for? —Eds