In the end, it was the lilting grace of a waiata that best captured the mood inside Hamiltons council chamber.
A move to establish Mori wards in Hamilton has been framed as a watershed moment for the city and the sense of occasion wasnt lost on those watching as elected members voted in favour of change.
Those who feared Wednesdays meeting might end with bitter words neednt have worried as councillors voted unanimously to create Mori wards in time for next years council elections.
The result drew applause, song, and a haka from the packed public gallery and was reciprocated by elected members who stood and sang their own waiata Kirikiriroa.
READ MORE:* Mori wards will enhance Hamilton City Council decision-making, says leader * Public to have say on Mori wards in Hamilton* Mori ward u-turn splits Hamilton politicians
The historic vote follows a three-week public engagement campaign which indicated overwhelming support for Mori wards in Hamilton.
More than 990 submissions were received by the council, with 81 per cent of submitters backing a call for change.
Hamilton City councillors perform a waiata following a vote to establish Mori wards in the city.
The vote to establish Mori wards now triggers a wider representation review which will determine the future configuration of the councils political wing. Its expected Hamilton will get two Mori wards based on the citys population.
The new wards must remain in place for at least two terms.
Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate began Wednesdays meeting by asking speakers to be respectful, and said the decision to consult the wider public on the issue of Mori wards was the right one.
I think it really is a truly historic day, Southgate said afterwards.
Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate describes the councils unanimous vote in support of Mori wards as stunning.
What is really stunning about today is this was a unanimous decision by council. So in the journey of talking to the public, [councillors] reached a greater understanding, and we were able to be totally united in our view that Mori have a place at our table.
Since 2018, Mori interests have been represented on the city council by five Maangai Mori who have full voting rights at the committee level but dont sit on the full council.
The appointees are chosen by Waikato-Tainui and urban Mori authority Te Rnanga o Kirikiriroa.
Ngira Simmonds, centre, says creating Mori wards in Hamilton doesnt diminish anyones mana.
Waikato-Tainui Te Arataura chairwoman Linda Te Aho was in the council chamber to witness the vote and described it as a momentous occasion.
The next step is for Mori to step up and put themselves forward and become involved in local government. We have not seen ourselves reflected, so we have not been turning out at the polls, Te Aho said.
For so long we have felt so disconnected, and that is why we have not participated. Now we will.
Ngira Simmonds, also speaking on behalf of Waikato-Tainui, said the message from the Kngitanga is Waikato iwi are ready to take a seat at the council table.
Nobody will be harmed in the adoption of Mori wards. There is nothing to fear here, there is only good for all of us, Simmonds said.
We do not seek to take anything away from you, we do not seek to usurp your mana but rather to dwell together with you.
Hamilton deputy mayor Geoff Taylor, who previously expressed concern with the tight timeframe for consultation with the public, said Mori wards will provide tangata whenua with better representation.
A lingering concern, however, is the creation of separate wards for Mori could send the message that they cant compete on their own merit.
With Mori wards in local government, theyre nothing new, theyve been around for 20 years. Again, have they really advanced the cause? Theyve hardly been revolutionary, Taylor said.
Councillor Maxine van Oosten says the debate over Mori wards is taking place against a backdrop of social change.
I want something more, but then Im saying that as a Pkeh who hasnt had to wait like you have.
Councillor Maxine van Oosten said the community engagement on Mori wards had given the council clear guidance. The vote comes against a backdrop of ongoing social change focused on building tolerance and awareness of each other.
For those afraid of a backlash, that hasnt happened, van Oosten said. Thats because weve awoken to a better understanding of our past.
About half a dozen members of the public turned up at council to protest against Mori wards. Some made their way into the debating chamber, placards in hand, but few stayed for the final vote.
Resident Brian Burne questions the rationale behind Mori wards.
Submitter Brian Burne attempted to deliver a bellicose speech but was thwarted by his lack of reading glasses. His spiel came to rest on a question.
We should have an Indian ward, a bloody Chinese ward … why are the Moris given a ward when we are all one?
