Legislation to bring back local referendums on Maori wards - has passed its first reading

The law would overturn a 2021 Labour amendment protecting the wards from being overturned by community-initiated polls.

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says that silenced local voices -- which when consulted were overwhelming against the law.

He says local people should make the decisions on how they wish to be represented.

Labour's Kieran McAnulty says the entire rationale behind the Bill - is racially motivated.

He says it's a disgrace to pretend it's about democracy, when the changes only apply to Maori wards.