Show Notes
From “no wards at all” to “Māori wards are a must,” this episode has it all. We bring you kōrero from every corner of the debate. There’s a mayoral candidate, a Treaty expert, a migrant professor, and a long-time community advocate who’s been walking this journey for more than a decade. In this chorus of perspectives, we talk to John Woodward who shares why he wants an at-large system with no wards at all, June Nicklin who takes us back to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its promises, Professor Mohan Dutta who offers a migrant’s lens on solidarity and justice, and Glen Bennett who reflects on more than a decade of fighting for Māori wards. Together, their kōrero shows just how layered, challenging, and vital this conversation really is. It’s not about left or right, for or against, it’s about what fairness, partnership, and representation looks like in Aotearoa today. Four voices, one kaupapa, and a debate that shapes the future for all of us.
More from WTH Are Māori Wards?
After twelve weeks, twenty-five voices, and more lightbulb moments than we can count — here it is, the grand finale. In this season wrap-up, hosts Anaru Judd and Taryn Utiger look back at the biggest myth-busting moments, the toughest truths, and the most moving kōrero from across the series. It’s deep, it’s cheeky, it’s honest, and it might just be the best episode of the lot. Expect laughter, reflection, a few surprises, and plenty of banter as this dynamic duo unpack what they’ve learned (and unlearned) along the way. Grab your cuppa, whānau because this one goes straight to the heart of it all.
Whānau, we’ve saved a big one for last. In our final guest kōrero of the season, we bring you voices that sit at very different ends of the spectrum, and together, they show us exactly what’s at stake. First up is Damon Fox, ACT Party candidate for New Plymouth District Council. He shares why he believes Māori wards aren’t the right path forward, drawing on his own values. Then we turn to Jay and Erin Ruka, whose life’s mahi is weaving aroha, reconciliation and difference into strength. Together these perspectives pose the question, are Māori wards division, or are they partnership? This episode is thoughtful, fiery, and deeply reflective. It’s not just about council seats, it’s about the kind of Aotearoa we want to grow into. Stay tuned for next week, when Andrew and Taryn reflect on the series and wrap up WTH we’ve learnt from WTH Are Māori Wards.
Whānau, the future doesn’t arrive fully formed, it's shaped by us. It's shaped through the fire of activism, through the fearlessness of rangatahi, and through the wisdom of te ao Māori guiding us forward.
From town halls to marae, hui are springing up all over Aotearoa, and they’re buzzing with kōrero about Māori wards. This week Anaru and Taryn take you inside one of them - the Keep Māori Wards Manawatū Hui, recorded and shared with aroha by our whānau at Manawatū People’s Radio.
Politicians don’t always agree... but in this episode, we get a big surprise when they do! Three heavy hitters, from different sides of the political spectrum and different corners of the motu, all land on the same belief: Māori wards deserve to stay. The twist? One of them is part of the Coalition Government — the very same coalition that brought back referendums against Māori wards.