Māori wards have now been rejected in five binding referendums across the country.
Former New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd said the results reflect persistent racist attitudes. Photo: RNZ / Richard
Tindiller
More than 70 percent of voters in Manawatu and Western Bay of Plenty voted against having dedicated Māori representation
on their councils.
In Palmerston North, 68 percent voted against, and in Kaikōura, preliminary results show 80 percent voted against.
It was closer in Whakatāne, where 55 percent voted against Māori wards on the district council.
Former New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd, who tried to establish a Māori ward in his district in 2014, said the results
reflected persistent racist attitudes.
"I'm not surprised. It was obviously a template of what happened here in New Plymouth and it highlights the fact that
this is broken, this is wrong.
"Seriously the government needs to step up and show some real leadership because these results divide communities - it's
horrendous."
In all five referendums, the voter turnout was about 40 percent.