The Local Government Minister says Palmerston North has no choice but to hold a referendum on its Maori ward, despite opposition

The council voted to keep its Maori ward, meaning it'll need to go to the public on the issue next year.

But some councillors don't want a referendum, asking lawyers to investigate what happens if they simply refuse.

Simeon Brown says they have to obey the law.

He says the Government expected this resistance, so ensured in the law that a referendum would go ahead even if a council refuse to facilitate it.