'Give Hamilton communities a voice' is the message from a Waikato Māori leader who believes community boards in Hamilton would be a great step forward.
Community leaders in Hamilton says community boards are desperately needed in high-deprivation areas like Fairfield. Photo: Google Maps
Hamilton currently does not have community boards, instead is divided into two political wards: East and west.
Last year Hamilton City Council reviewed its representation and following a hearings process, elected members chose not introduce community boards.
Social trust Community Waikato brought an appeal to the Local Government Commission who will deliver its decision this month on how the council can move forward and where community boards could be located.
Neighbouring Community Board Member Sharnay Cocup, of Taupiri Community Board, which is part of five community boards in the North Waikato, said having community boards in the Hamilton area would empower individual communities.
"Each community is different," she said.
"They (community boards) will ensure that community voices are heard and that they get their selection of who they want to be their voice.
"(As elected members) we can put forward ideas… A community board is a foot in the door for making positive changes as a collective at a local body."
Hamilton resident Raja Shah said community boards were desperately needed in high-deprivation areas of Nawton, Bader and Fairfield.
Nawton East is made up of almost 40 percent Māori and 10 percent Pasifika, whereas Nawton West is almost 28 percent Māori and almost 8 percent Pasifika. Bader is 51 percent Māori and 11 percent Pasifika, and Fairfield is made up of 42 percent Māori and more than 10 percent Pasifika.
"Having localised groups would definitely help. But getting it started and to be involved might be difficult. I think some minor ethnic groups already formed the connection network but making progress towards community boards is a great step," Shah said.
"It should be helpful especially for those who live in high need areas and low socioeconomic groups."
The commission will report back to Hamilton City Council by 11 April, with the result potentially having a significant impact on October's council election.
Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
