Guaranteed Māori representation in local government is about self-determination — and it's good for democracy
- Written by Dominic O'Sullivan, Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, and Associate Professor of Political Science, Charles Sturt University

The recent controversy over a decision by the Tauranga City Council to establish a Māori ward reminds us that arguments about Māori political representation are nothing new.
In this latest case, the Hobson’s Pledge lobby group helped organise a petition to overturn the council decision. It would have created an el...