An urban Maori authority in Hamilton has lodged a claim with the Waitangi Tribunal which could pave the way for Maori representation on all councils.
While the claim targets Hamilton City Council, Te Runanga o Kirikiriroa chair Matiu Dickson says it was lodged when it became clear that Maori were not going to get seats on the Auckland super -city council.
The Waikato University law school lecturer told Waatea News that mechanisms in the 2002 Local Government Act to allow Maori seats are not working.
However, the tribunal has refused to grant the claim urgency.
Mr Dickson says the runanga wanted action before the next local elections in 2011.
