'Be brave': Rangitīkei District Council votes to establish Māori ward in time for 2022 elections 3 May, 2021 04:00 AM 4 minutes to read Rangitīkei District Councillor Tracey Hiroa told her colleagues the significance of representation to tangata whenua. Photo / Bevan Conley Rangitīkei District Councillor Tracey Hiroa told her colleagues the significance of representation to tangata whenua. Photo / Bevan Conley The Rangitīkei District Council has voted unanimously in favour of establishing a Māori ward in time for next year's local body elections. The number of dedicated Māori representatives is not yet known and while the council's iwi advisory group has called for 50/50 representation, mayor Andy Watson says that is not possible.