The Whāngārei District Council voted on Thursday to turn down a proposal to introduce Māori wards.
Whāngārei Mayor Sheryl Mai put forward the amendment to create the wards after lobbying from Te Huinga, a group that represents 120 local hapū or subtribes.
It would establish areas where only those on the Māori parliamentary roll can vote for candidates, guaranteeing tangata whenua representation at the local government level.
Māori voters can then choose to vote for either the Māori candidate in their area or the general candidate, but can't vote for both.
Ms Mai, Deputy Mayor Sharon Morgan, Anna Murphy and Cherry Herman voted in favour of the proposal. The other nine Councillors voted either to keep the status quo or to hold a referendum at the 2019 election.
The Mayor says the result is disappointing.
"Māori representation is not coming through the normal voting system and I believe that Māori wards are the best way to reflect the diversity of our district.
"The wards ensure Māori have voice around the table."
Te Huinga deputy chair, Huhana Lyndon, says that the Councillors need to better understand their treaty partners.
"This sends a clear signal that we, as the hapū of Whāngārei, need to reconsider what our relationship with the council looks like, what is our strategy moving forward, and how can we hold our Councillors more responsible for kaupapa Māori within our district."
Both Ms Mai and Ms Lyndon are against a referendum on the issue.
"We don't see that this as favourable for Māori, referendums on these matters often go against Māori," says Ms Lyndon, a sentiment the Mayor echoed.
The Far North District Council held a referendum in 2015 on introducing Māori wards. It was voted down by a margin of 68 percent to 32 percent.
Ms Lyndon is standing in the upcoming by-election in the ward of Denby to send a message.
"We don't have any Māori on the Whāngārei District Council or the Northland Regional Council.
"I'm putting my hand up as someone who has seven years of experience in local government to say actually, it's really hard for Māori to get representation."
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