Maori Ward Referendum

Māori Wards and Constituencies Polls

Where a local authority has established Māori wards or Māori constituencies since 2020 without undertaking a poll, legislation now requires a poll to be undertaken in conjunction with the 2025 local elections (Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024).

A separate poll will therefore be required for Council. The outcome of the poll will be binding for two triennial elections (2028 and 2031).

The question will be simple and easy to understand in your voting pack:

‘I vote to keep the Māori ward’ or ‘I vote to remove the Māori ward’.

 

For more information on how to enrol, visit https://www.votelocal.co.nz/information-for-voters/maori-wards/