“When a Māōri ward was finally voted in for our council, tears flowed down my face. I was just so happy.”

Moko Tepania played a vital role in the Far North District Council’s decision to introduce a Māori ward in the upcoming local election next year.

Today was the last day for councils to make a decision on whether or not to introduce a Māori ward and many councils across the country have opted to do so - a great step for further Māori representation in Aotearoa.

This is part of our new reo Māori series, Ohinga, created by Mahi Tahi Media, with funding from Te Māngai Pāho.

Stay tuned for a new episode every week.