Panui / Korero

He mihi nui tēnei ki a tātou tangata tiriti who never fail to show up. Your steady support—like Leah’s—reminds us this kaupapa is carried by many hands. When you stand for Māori wards, you stand for fairness, representation, and decisions guided by relationships, not just politics. This is what partnership looks like in real life: resourcing that reaches whānau, stronger connections between iwi, hapū and council, and a future shaped with—not for—our communities. He waka eke n

Māori wards aren’t just for Māori—they strengthen outcomes for all of us. Ensuring tangata whenua voices at the decision-making table gives councils richer perspectives, deeper community connections, and more balanced decisions that reflect local realities. When relationships guide policy, resources reach whānau, projects are shaped with hapū and iwi, and trust grows across our community. That’s how we build a better future together—fair, representative, and grounded in partn

Whānau, 87.9% of voters still haven’t ranked their candidates—kei te pau te wā. Don’t leave it too late. Every ranking strengthens our voice and helps keep Māori representation strong. Rank your candidates 1, 2, 3… so your vote keeps working. 🗳️ Join us at the Civic Centre at 3pm for Hikoi ki te Pōti and show your support for Māori wards. Bring your voting papers; missing them? Take photo ID to a special voting centre. Come with a mate, be seen, be heard—see you there! 🫰🏾�

✨ This Friday we walk together for Hīkoi ki te Pōti, standing strong for our voices, our whenua, and our future. Every step we take reminds us that voting is not just a right, but a responsibility to our whānau, tamariki, and mokopuna. 🗳️ Your vote carries mana. Let’s show up, stand proud, and make sure our voices are heard this election. ✊🏽 #HikoiKiTePoti #ManaMotuhake #EveryVoteCounts

Having Māori wards doesn’t take a seat away from anyone—it ensures Māori voices are represented at the decision-making table. When diverse perspectives are present, councils make more balanced decisions, build stronger community connections, and deliver better outcomes for everyone. 🤝🏾 Support representation that benefits us all: share the kōrero, show up, and keep our voice strong.

Having Māori wards ensures our voices are at the table, shaping council decisions that will guide the future of our whenua, wai, and communities. It’s about protecting what matters most for our tamariki and mokopuna, so the next generation inherits a future grounded in tikanga and equity.

Even the smallest grub can bring down the great kahikatea. Every single vote has the power to make change. Don’t ever think your vote doesn’t matter- it absolutely does. By filling out your voting papers, you add your strength to the collective voice of our people. ✊🏽

For the past two decades, Māori wards have played a crucial role in strengthening voices and decision-making in the Bay of Plenty. This commitment to genuine representation has brought about real, tangible benefits at the council table, ensuring that Māori perspectives are woven into the fabric of local governance. The success we’ve seen here is a powerful example for the rest of Aotearoa. Imagine the positive change that could unfold if every region embraced this kaupapa—amp

Voting is one of the most powerful ways to have your voice heard and help shape the future of our communities. As voting papers arrive in mailboxes, it’s crucial to make sure your vote is counted—so here’s an important reminder for all whānau. Before you fill out your voting paper, take a careful look at the instructions. Some areas use the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, where you need to rank candidates in your order of preference (1, 2, 3, etc.), while others use a

✨ Nau mai, haere mai! Welcome to the launch of Hikoi for Change! ✨ We are excited to open a new Facebook page: A dedicated space for whānau to unite, learn, and take action in support of Māori wards. Whether you’re here to enrol, vote, or simply stay informed, we’re so glad to have you join us on this kaupapa. Hikoi for Change is all about empowering our community. Here, we celebrate the power of collective voices and encourage everyone to play their part—by enrolling, votin

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