By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy Reporting
Korty Wilson is standing for a second term as a councillor for Ruapehu District Council’s Māori ward, motivated by the need to ensure Māori voices remain strong at the council table.
Born in Raetihi and raised in Ohakune, Wilson has deep roots in the district. Her whakapapa links include Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Uenuku and Ngāti Hāua.
“I’ve decided to stand again because of the importance of the Māori ward.
“For so long, we haven’t had a voice and things have happened without our input. With a referendum coming up, it’s important there are people who will keep supporting it.”
Wilson says her role has often been to help communities, iwi and council find common ground.
“Māori ward councillors have become the connectors for some of the people in our communities who don’t know how to connect with our people.
“It means having empathy, integrity and honesty, and being available to people kanohi-ki-te-kanohi – whether at the marae, at a tangi or in everyday community life.
“Aroha ki te tangata – that’s what our people expect of us.”
Wilson describes three main priorities for her next term. The first is protecting the place of Māori at the council table.
The second is safeguarding the environment, especially local river catchments.
“If the water’s not well, we’re not well as a people. That’s true for everyone, Māori and non-Māori alike,” she says.
The third is ensuring tangata whenua lead the telling of cultural narratives in tourism.
“There’s so much information out there that hasn’t come from us. It’s time for our stories to be told in our own voices.”
Wilson’s background is in education and community service. After 15 years with New Zealand Post, she retrained as one of the first graduates of Te Rangakura, the pioneering bilingual teacher training programme.
She went on to teach at Ruapehu College and Ohakune Primary School, and served 18 years as tumuaki of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Rangi.
She has also been a victim support volunteer for nearly 25 years and has held leadership roles in parish and community groups.
Currently working as a cultural advisor for Ngā Waihua o Paerangi, Wilson brings more than 30 years of educational and community experience to the council. She says her background has prepared her well for the collaborative, relationship-based work of local government.
Her first term has also given her insights into how council must work alongside iwi settlement entities and with the unique legal status of Te Awa Tupua (the Whanganui River) and Te Waiū o te Ika (the Whangaehu River).
“For councils to really understand, they need to be present when invited – at hui, wānanga, on the land, on the river.
“It’s not always about the mighty dollar. It’s more about the state of the water, the land, the environment. That mindset will take time, but the discussions are happening.”
Wilson says she remains committed to building new understanding across communities.
“The more we work together, the stronger our communities will be.”
She encourages people to make the most of their voting rights.
“Our vote does matter, and our voices count.”
Awa FM – Te Reo Irirangi o Whanganui
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