"Mayors sign letter opposing changes to Māori wards"
Go NZ mayors!
"A Hawke's Bay mayor says the government's proposed changes to Māori wards are racist, because councils can create other wards without requiring a referendum."
This is a good example of how networked activity by local government politicians can serve as a decentralised upper house.
Political ShowerThought; if central govt sets a standard for something, it ought to fund local government to bring their infrastructure and services up to that level. If a local govt body sets a standard for themselves, it's reasonable for its ratepayers to foot the bill in full.
For example, if it's up to councils to decide whether to supply water and in what condition, they pay. But if the govt mandates they supply drinkable water, they ought to subsidise the cost of doing so.
Strypey