Reinstating the ability for polls on Māori wards 

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On 4 April 2024, the Government announced that it will reinstate the ability for communities to petition their councils for binding polls on the establishment of Māori wards and constituencies. This reverses the changes that were made in March 2021.

Councils that established a Māori ward without holding a poll following the 2021 changes will be required to hold a poll at the 2025 local elections. If a council does not want to hold a poll at the 2025 local elections they will have the option to reverse their decisions on Māori wards. This would involve rescinding the decision if it has not yet been implemented, or disestablishing Māori wards if they are already in place.

The Department has developed a fact sheet to help support councils understand the new proposals (PDF, 239KB)

The Department has also developed a flow chart for decision pathways for effected councils (PDF, 255KB)

Read: Frequently Asked Questions for Councils on the proposed Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill (PDF, 265KB)

For further details, the Bill can be found here - Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill. The intention is that the Bill will be passed by the end of July 2024.

Councils and members of the public will be able to participate in the development of the Bill through the select committee process.