There's confidence most councils want to retain their Māori wards. 

There's a 5pm deadline today to have made a decision over their fate. 

Most councils have opted to keep them, with only Kaipara District Council deciding to scrap them, while Upper Hutt City Council has reversed its decision to establish them. 

Local Government New Zealand President and Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton told Mike Hosking that councils have shown that partnerships with Māori, whether through wards or council seats, has brought good results.   

He says it creates richer discussion. 

Far North District Council meets today to consider the fate of its ward. 

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