Panui / Korero

When more perspectives are included in decision-making, we create stronger, more creative, and more effective solutions for everyone. 💡✨ That’s the beauty of Māori wards—they bring cultural knowledge, lived experience, and deeply held values to the council table, helping to shape decisions that benefit our entire community. 🗳️🌿 Māori voices ensure our local democracy is richer and more representative. Through their participation, Māori representatives share insights ground

We’re still buzzing after an incredible night bringing our whānau and community together! Connecting face-to-face with candidates, especially those standing for the Māori ward, gave us an even deeper appreciation for the importance of Māori representation and strong Māori voices in our local democracy. So often, Māori candidates have been overlooked—left off the invite list or not given the platform to speak at candidate events. That’s why it was so important for us to create

🔥 Tonight was INSANE! 🔥 The whare was absolutely buzzing for Local and Lit—a night created by Māori, for Māori, and for the kaupapa of keeping our voices strong. The energy in the room was electric, and the sense of whanaungatanga was powerful. Local artists Timena and Awhi set the perfect scene, serenading the crowd and creating the vibe as candidates mixed, mingled, and connected kanohi ki te kanohi. 🎤🎶 Next up was the debate, masterfully hosted by Huhana Melanie Lyndon

This local election, Whangārei voters are being asked a simple but powerful question: Do you want to keep Māori wards in our council? Voting YES means keeping Māori representation in our local decision-making, making sure tangata whenua have a strong voice on the issues that matter most—our whenua, our whānau, and our shared future. 🌿🤝 You’ll find this important referendum inside your postal voting pack, alongside your regular voting papers. Here’s what to do: ✅ Tick YES ✉️

Save the Date – September 14th! ✨ Whangārei, you won’t want to miss this one! 👀 Join us for an evening of Drinks & Debate with the Māori Wards candidates from WDC and NRC. This is your chance to hear their voices, ask the tough questions, and connect kanohi ki te kanohi in a relaxed, welcoming setting. 🍹 A great line-up of kōrero 🥂 A social, engaging atmosphere 🎶 Plus… we’ve got a very special guest artist joining us – and we’re SO excited to announce who later this week!

Māori wards aren’t just boxes to tick—they’re seats at the table. Representation means making sure our stories, struggles, and solutions are truly seen and heard by the people making decisions for our communities. 🗣️✨ Voting for Māori wards means having representatives who really get us, because they are us. It’s about local voices shaping local futures—ensuring that our perspectives guide the path forward. 🌱 Don’t just stand on the sidelines. Pull up a chair, bring your wh

Wow, what an afternoon! Yesterday, both Mayoral and Councillor candidates from across Whangārei District Council and Northland Regional Council came together for our Meet the Candidates event at Hihiaua Cultural Centre—and whānau, it was packed! 🙌🏽 We had 17 candidates registered (plus a few walk-ins!), so the agenda was jam-packed and the energy was high. Each candidate had 2 minutes to introduce themselves before jumping straight into the hot seat. The pātai were on point

Māori wards are about making space—real space—for our kōrero, our kaupapa, and our lived experiences. This is how we move from tokenism to tangata whenua leadership. From silence to visibility. From being consulted to actually being at the decision-making table. 🗣️✨ By enrolling and voting ĀE for Māori Wards, you’re choosing to represent, empower, and uplift our people—not just for today, but for generations to come. Your vote helps ensure our voices are heard, our stories a

Puāwai walks with purpose and power. She knows that by showing up, standing up, and enrolling our people, we are reclaiming space and mana in the places decisions are made. Catch her out and about bringing all the wairua to our pop-ups! #VoteAE #PuawaiPower #HeManaToTātouPōti #MāoriWards

Te Kapua is showing up so the next generation can stay rooted and still rise. 🌱 This is about building futures for us, by us, in our own backyards. 📣 Kōrero Māori, noho Māori, pōti Māori. #VoteAE #HeManaToTātouPōti #RuralPride #KāingaFirst #MāoriWards #TaitamarikiMoApōpō

Awhi isn’t here to play small. She's here to take up space, speak her truth, and make sure our whānau and whenua are never left out of the kōrero. When we enrol, when we vote, when we stand - we’re claiming our seat at the table, not waiting to be invited. #VoteAE #HeManaToTātouPōti #WāhineToa #MāoriWards #OurWhenuaOurFuture s