Urgency

I move, That urgency be accorded the passing through the remaining stages of the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill.

The urgency is done on two grounds. One is to ensure that local authorities that would otherwise have to hold referenda that will no longer be required under this bill will not have to do so. The second is to ensure—as the explanatory note in the bill explains—that local authorities have the opportunity to make decisions on Māori wards and Māori constituencies in light of these changes before the 2022 local elections.