Napier City Council's decision to add Māori seats around the council table is being labelled a bittersweet victory by mana whenua.
The council has voted to establish Māori wards, but they won't exist for another four years.
This is because the vote was delayed until yesterday, meaning it is now too late for the wards to be in place by next year.
Te-Matau-a-Māui Tom Kitchin reports.
