Hastings pushes closer to getting Māori wards, unanimous tautoko from committee 21 Apr, 2021 02:49 AM 2 minutes to read Hastings District Council Maori Standing Committee member Mike Paku leads the debate at the meeting today. Photo / Paul Taylor Hastings District Council Maori Standing Committee member Mike Paku leads the debate at the meeting today. Photo / Paul Taylor Hawkes Bay Today Hastings District Council will hold an urgent meeting on Thursday to start the public consultation needed if it is to have Māori ward representatives after next year's local elections. The meeting follows a council Māori Standing Committee meeting which this afternoon gave the issue the big tautoko - the committee comprising councillors and co-opted Māori representatives voting unanimously to recommend the council start the process.