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The Government plan to replace elected regional councillors with panels of mayors raises serious concerns for Māori representation, Elijah Pue says.

Ruapehu voters have recorded one of the district’s strongest turnouts in recent years and voted to keep Māori wards for the next two local elections.

Whanganui has recorded its highest local election turnout in nearly a decade, with more than half of eligible voters casting votes.

Ruapehu District Council chief executive Clive Manley says the behaviour is completely unacceptable and must stop.

The Ruapehu district mayoralty, the General and Māori wards and all three community boards are being contested.

The strong turnout means most constituencies will go to election.

Nominations closed with 32 candidates confirmed across the Rangitīkei District Council mayoralty, wards and community boards.

With the regional council’s core responsibilities lying in environmental management, Elijah Pue is determined to ensure Māori are central to decision-making.