Allanah Burgess for Marlborough District Councillor, Māori Ward

17/02/2026

✨ Mānawatia te Kāhui o Matariki – Funding now open for 2026 ✨

It’s been a little while since I’ve shared an update here - 2026! wow and I heard someone say today that it's still February and in all honestly so much has happened, I wonder how it's not November! Hei aha! I’m really stoked to share that the Mānawatia te Kāhui o Matariki Fund is now open for applications.

I have the privilege of chairing the Arts, Culture and Heritage Sub-Committee this term, and supporting this fund to see the many ways our hapori can honour and celebrate Matariki — is one of the highlights!

Matariki is a time for reflection, remembrance, connection and planning for the future. Each year, this fund helps in a small way bring to life events that strengthen our communities, uplift mātauranga Māori, and create spaces for whānau to come together.

If you, your kura, iwi, marae, or roopū-ā-hapori are planning an event to celebrate Matariki in 2026, then apply.

Events must be:
• Held within Marlborough
• Free or low-cost
• Family friendly and accessible
• Aligned with the kaupapa and values of Matariki

📅 Applications close at 8.00am on Monday 16 March 2026
Late applications cannot be accepted, so please don’t leave it too late.

Funding decisions will be made in May, giving successful applicants plenty of time to prepare.

I look forward to seeing the creativity, whakaaro, and kaupapa our community brings forward. Matariki is for all of us — and this fund exists to support you in celebrating it in ways that reflect that.

🔗 Further information and application details can be found here: https://www.marlborough.govt.nz/recreation/events/manawatia-te-kahui-o-matariki-fund-marlborough-matariki-community-event-fund

If you have any pātai, please feel free to invite me for a kapū tī ☕️😜

Mānawatia a Matariki. Mānawatia te tau hou Māori x

If you’re organising an event to recognise and celebrate Matariki, you may be eligible for funding from Council to bring it to life.

Mānawatia te Kahui o Matariki Fund celebrates and supports the regeneration of mātauranga associated with Te Kāhui o Matariki. The contestable fund aims to support the community in hosting events that recognise not only Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki, the public holiday, but also the wider Kaupapa and principles of Matariki.

The fund opens for applications, until 8am Monday 16 March.

If your event is to take place within Marlborough, intended to be free, low-cost, family friendly and accessible to all, we encourage you to apply. See here for full details: https://www.marlborough.govt.nz/recreation/events/manawatia-te-kahui-o-matariki-fund-marlborough-matariki-community-event-fund

Image credit: Rangitāne o Wairau

21/11/2025

He rā nui mō Rangitāne o Wairau, mō tātou katoa o Marlborough!

It was a privilege to second the motion alongside Mayor Nadine Taylor and to acknowledge this document for what it truly is — he taonga, grounded in generations of mātauranga, whakapapa and kaitiakitanga.
He taiao tō tātou, he taonga tuku iho.
Me tiaki, me manaaki, me mahi tahi mō ngā rā kei te heke mai.

11/11/2025

Kia ora e te whānau, e te hapori o te rohe nei,
We are now officially sworn in for the 2025–2028 term, and straight into mahi 💥
Our first extraordinary meeting is complete, and councillor portfolios have been confirmed.
I’m proud to share where my focus will be this triennium:
🌿 Strategy & Community Partnerships Committee
— Chair, Arts, Culture & Heritage Sub-Committee (Creative Communities funding, Matariki grants, arts + heritage advocacy)
🌱 Youth Council Portfolio
— Supporting rangatahi leadership and decision-making
🤝 Welcoming Communities + Refugee & Migrant Resettlement Portfolio
— Ensuring Marlborough is a place where everyone feels they belong
🌏 Environment & Planning Committee
— Kōtahi mō te Taiao
— Environmental Health
— Hearings Committee
— Mahi mō te Taiao Grants Sub-Committee

A seat at the council table is only as meaningful as the people you serve.
I serve all people.

10/11/2025

He wā whakahirahira | A week of milestones, reflection and absolute gratitude.

Well... I've be sworn in for my second term — and celebrated my second year graduation for Matike Mai – Te Ata Hapara. Two worlds that look very different, yet both grounded in the same “why”:
to serve our people, to show up with integrity, and to leave the door wider for those coming after.

One space I have often been told we don’t belong in.
The other reminds me that I absolutely do.

Gratitude will never be loud enough to express how much my people mean to me — so instead, I choose to show it every day through action.

Across Aotearoa, Māori wards have shifted conversations, grown courage, and opened doors — whether or not every door stayed open.
Here in Marlborough, the final decision not to retain the Māori Ward past 2028 does not erase what we have achieved:
- We normalised seeing Māori at the council table.
- We strengthened relationships with iwi, hapori and tamariki.
- We inspired young people to believe that representation is possible.

This kaupapa didn’t fail — it revealed how much work some of us still need to do. And we will continue that work.

To those who tried to dampen our joy, our pride, our presence —
nah, not today. Not ever.
We celebrate anyway. We stand anyway. We continue anyway.

To our tamariki, rangatahi, and rangatira mō āpōpō, you are preparing for exams, summer sports, end of year celebrations, and planning time with your friends and whānau.
Keep showing up, being kind, standing in your truth, backing yourself and backing each other.
Mau, tau, and focus.
Your future is calling — walk toward it with confidence and curiosity.

To our community - Stay true. Stay patient. Stay generous.
Give love without expectation. Show up, even when no one is watching.
Play the long game — the legacy game.

Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu.
With the right support, every kaupapa can fly.

To my tamariki — one day it will all make sense but with a lighter load.

Always to my whānau, my pā, and every single person who walks beside this kaupapa - to you and you and you too... Ngā mihi mutunga kore.

All the ways. In every way. Always.

🖤 Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua.
We walk backwards into the future, with our eyes on the past.

Rehekō!! Let’s keep going.
Together.

13/10/2025

“Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui” 🫶🏼

Mīharo rawa atu tō kōrero, e hoa. E mihi ana ki a koe x Dinnie Moeahu for NPDC

Kia ora whānau,

I have been reflecting over the past couple of days regards to the Māori ward referenda outcomes across Aotearoa, and there are some interesting themes that have occurred. I can understand the mamae and maybe a sense of hopelessness that people are feeling due to results however, I would like to paint another picture and have written something to contextualise my whakaaro. My Opinion Piece is called: Te Ara Whakamua - The Pathway forward.

Twenty-four years ago, in 2001, Parliament passed changes to the Local Electoral Act that gave councils the ability to create Māori wards. It was a small clause tucked into a big piece of legislation but for many of us, it carried huge meaning. It recognised that Māori voices deserved a seat at the council table, not as a token gesture but as a reflection of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our shared future.

Back then, very few people could have imagined how far this conversation would travel, or how much it would test our courage as communities. For years, whenever a council tried to introduce Māori wards, a public poll could overturn the decision. It meant that every step forward could be taken away by a few thousand signatures on a petition. But time, like the tide, can change.

Over the last decade, Aotearoa has grown braver in facing uncomfortable truths. Councils from the Far North to Invercargill have been having conversations that our grandparents might have found unthinkable. What does partnership look like at a local level?

Now, here we are in 2025, reflecting on the results of Māori Ward referenda across the country, 42 councils in total. 17 districts/regions chose to keep their Māori wards, and 25 did not. At first glance, the numbers might seem disappointing to those who believe in representation that reflects all of Aotearoa. But look closer, and you’ll see something remarkable happening beneath the surface.

Across the country, progress results had 46.7% of voters supported Māori wards, while 48.4% voted against. That’s almost a split down the middle. Compare that to twenty years ago, when support for Māori wards often sat below 9%. That is not defeat that is transformation. It tells us that nearly half of this country now recognises the value of Māori voices at the decision-making table.

Here in Taranaki, the story is much the same. In the New Plymouth District, 42% voted to keep Māori wards; in South Taranaki, 43%; even in Stratford, where opposition was strongest, more than a third said yes. Regionally, the Taranaki Regional Council sat at 42% support.

That’s thousands of people. Your neighbours, your workmates, your whānau, your friends who now stand proudly for a more inclusive democracy. That wasn’t the case five years ago. Even more so a decade ago. These numbers represent growth, courage, and a shift in our collective awareness.

Some will frame the results as a setback. That’s fair. But to me, as someone who has been at the forefront of the discussion for a number of years, it feels more like a pulse. The steady heartbeat of a nation in the middle of change.

The discomfort so many are feeling right now whether from sadness, pride, or frustration is a sign of life. Change is never easy, never comfortable, and never linear. It means we’re still engaged. We’re still debating. We’re still learning how to walk together.

Historically, the vast majority of Aotearoa voted against Māori wards. But now, the level of support is higher than it has ever been. It shows that the kōrero is reaching beyond community boundaries, that people everywhere are starting to think about what partnership really means.

To those who are disappointed, kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui. Stay patient. Continue to be strong, be brave, and keep moving forward. The seeds of change have been planted. They are growing slowly, but surely. This is not the end of the journey, it is part of the process. Every great movement in our country’s history has faced resistance before it was accepted as normal.

To those who voted against, thank you for engaging. Thank you for being part of the conversation. Democracy is not about everyone agreeing, it’s about everyone caring enough to have their say. The challenge for all of us now is to keep talking, and to keep listening, even when it’s hard.

We have come a long way since 2001. Te Ara Whakamua - The Pathway Forward, is not just about politics, it’s about people. Aotearoa is learning. It’s learning about who we were, who we are, and who we aspire to be as a nation.

Kia kaha Aotearoa! Our tamariki and mokopuna are watching.

11/10/2025

Mōrena e te whānau x

He rā whakaaro nui, he rā aroha, he rā e titiro whakamuri ai tātou kia anga whakamua.
This is a day for reflection, for compassion, and for looking back as we move forward.
Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua.
I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on the past.

The people of Marlborough have voted not to retain the Māori Ward beyond 2028.

While the result is disappointing, it doesn’t take away from the incredible progress made, or the pride I feel standing as Māori, serving Marlborough. I will continue to represent our people with the same aroha, courage, and integrity that has guided me since I was first elected (yes, elected, not appointed).

The Māori Ward has opened doors for kōrero, built understanding, and given voice to perspectives that enrich the decisions made at our council table. This kaupapa has never been about separation — it has always been about connection. I hope this will continue.

To the many amazing candidates who put their hand up this election — ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa. There are several of you I was really looking forward to serving alongside, and I want to acknowledge your bravery, your heart, and your commitment to our communities. Representation takes courage. Standing takes courage. I look forward to being able to give you my vote in the next election.

This outcome also highlights something we can’t ignore — the clear need for better education in Marlborough about what local government does, how decisions are made, and why representation matters. Democracy only works when people understand how their voices shape it. That work must continue, and I’m committed to being part of it.

Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu — mā ngā kōrero, ngā whakaaro, me te aroha o te tangata ka rere anō te kaupapa nei.
With feathers, the bird will fly — with our words, our ideas, and our love, this kaupapa will rise again.

The Māori Ward gave flight to something powerful — hope, representation, and connection. That spirit doesn’t end here; it lives on in every whānau who engaged, every young person who asked questions, and every voter who believed that fairness is worth fighting for.

Finally, I want to say thank you —
To everyone who showed up, who voted, who came to kōrero, who continue to tautoko, who sent messages or calls of aroha — I appreciate you more than words can say.
To all of my beautiful whānau and friends... yes, that includes you! You who ticked to keep the Māori Ward, you who held space, you who voted, you who have my back, front, and the sides, you who continue to be Māori all day, every day!! You who stand up, you who see the future and understand that this can only be done better, together xx

My whānau, my iwi, my community, and to those who continue to walk beside me. You are all the real MVPs! the G.O.A.T's

Ngā mihi nui, arohanui ki a koutou katoa.

10/10/2025

Mōrena e te whānau!

Well… here we are again... this is it — Voting closes at 12pm TODAY! 🗳️

Before you do literally anything else today, please check your kitchen bench, your car (the dashboard 🙄), your handbag, backpack, or your kid’s school bag — because somewhere out there, a lonely voting envelope is just waiting to be dropped in an orange bin!

I was up at ridiculous o'clock for a Saturday morning to attempt pilates for the first time (A story for another time maybe haha - let's just say if you see me today or tomorrow or Monday, be kind). Anyway, to my surprise and utter shock, I saw voting papers on the dashboard! Luckily, Foursquare, Picton was open and they have an orange bin 🥳

We’ve got until 12pm TODAY to make sure every vote counts 💛

✅ If you need to cast a special vote, and you’re in the Waitohi / Waikawa area, flick me a message — I'll pick you up, I’m heading to Blenheim shortly! 🚗💨

Representation matters. Māori wards matter. Your voice matters.
Let’s get this over the line with one final push — and maybe a nap later! 😆

Vote YES to KEEP Māori Wards.

and to quote the one and only Bridget Bell... "Already grateful. Already proud. We got this. I've got you."

09/10/2025

🕐 Still got your voting papers? It’s not too late — but time’s running out!

Drop them off at an orange ballot box — you’ll find them at your local supermarket, library, or the MDC office in Blenheim.

Every single vote matters. Your vote matters!
You are not just one person - you are your voice, the voice of your tamariki and mokopuna, the voice of your whānau, the voice of a person who cares about the future of their place, their community, our Marlborough!!

Tick to KEEP Māori Wards.
Representation that benefits everyone. 🌏

08/10/2025

Kia ora e te whānau

Being your Māori Ward Councillor has been an absolute privilege — a chance to represent all of Marlborough with aroha and fairness.

This seat isn’t just about me; it's for and about everyone. It means our decisions are richer, our voices broader, and our future stronger.

Let’s keep it that way.
Vote to KEEP Māori Wards. 💛

This isn’t about fear — it’s about fairness, belonging, and balance.

If you haven’t voted yet, it’s time:
🟠 Drop your papers at an orange bin
⏰ Before Saturday 12 pm

If you still have pātai (questions), let's kōrero:
☕ I'll put the jug on

27/09/2025

ANOTHER MYTHBUSTER FOR YOUR SUNDAY

Q: Is a Māori Ward “special treatment”?
A: Not at all! 🌿

Māori wards are about balance, not privilege. They ensure Māori, as tangata whenua, have a guaranteed seat at the decision-making table — just like every other part of our community.

Fairness isn’t special treatment, it’s common sense. 💛

Vote YES to Māori wards.

26/09/2025

✨ He taonga te rangatahi | Our young people are treasures ✨

This year it has been my absolute privilege to sit alongside the Marlborough Youth Council. To witness their energy, their courage, and their commitment to our community has been inspiring.

The Youth Council isn’t just a place to learn — it’s a place where rangatahi can share their views, raise their voices, and be part of real decision-making at the table. Having a strong youth council means Marlborough’s future is shaped with young people, not just for them.

I hope this mahi continues to grow, and that more of our rangatahi see this as a space where their ideas, concerns, and dreams belong. 🌱

📸 Photo from this year’s Youth Council swearing-in ceremony with Mayor Nadine Taylor and Councillor Jonathan Rosene.

This year, it has been my absolute privilege to sit alongside the Marlborough Youth Council. Witnessing their energy, courage, and commitment to our community has been inspiring.