Masterton Must Hold Referendum

Friday 3 June 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In response to members of Masterton District Council rejecting a motion to delay the appointment of unelected iwi representatives to two of its standing committeesDemocracy Action Chair Lee Short says:

“Supporting Maori participation in decision making processes is one thing. Giving unelected people voting rights is quite another. It undermines the very foundations of elective democracy on which our country is based.”

“The citizens of Masterton deserve better from their Council. This new arrangement was introduced without a mandate. We call on the Council to uphold the principles of democracy by carrying out a district-wide referendum.”

“Nelson Rangi’s accusation of racism against the voters of Masterton is not only unfair, but hypocritical. Mr Rangi’s belief that democratic privileges should be awarded based on race is in fact racial discrimination.

“The people of the Wairarapa have in the past shown a willingness to embrace diversity when electing their representatives. It must be put to the people of the Wairarapa to decide whether race based representation is in the best interest of their district.”

ENDS

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