A Maori resident fears failure to establish a Maori ward in New Plymouth would dent the confidence of local Maori.

New Plymouth residents last night listened to five speakers, on the benefits of establishing such a ward.

The city begins voting on the issue on Friday.

Grant Knuckey doubts the referendum will be successful, and fears the cost of failure.

"If we lose, we get all this negative stuff starting all over again and we have to start again to build confidence amongst our own people."