Electoral System
Horowhenua District Council currently operates its elections under the first past the post (FPP) electoral system.
Electors vote by indicating their preferred candidate(s), and the candidate(s) that receives the most votes is declared the winner regardless of the proportion of votes that candidate(s) obtained.
The other option permitted under the Local Electoral Act 2001 is the single transferable vote (STV) system.
The number of votes required for a candidate to be elected (called the quota) depends on the number of positions to be filled and the number of valid votes. The necessary number of candidates to fill all vacancies is achieved first by the counting of first preferences then by a transfer of a proportion of votes received by any candidate where the number of votes for that candidate is in excess of the quota, and then by the exclusion of the lowest polling candidates and the transfer of these votes in accordance with voters’ second preferences.
Can the electoral system be changed?
Under the Local Electoral Act 2001 the Council can resolve to change the electoral system to be used at the next two elections or conduct a binding poll on the question, or electors can demand a binding poll. A poll can be initiated by at least five per cent of electors signing a petition demanding that a poll be held. Once changed, an electoral system must be used for at least the next two triennial general elections, ie we cannot change our electoral system for one election and then change back for the next election.
Representation Review 2021
Horowhenua District Council’s electoral system underwent a review in 2021 for consideration of adding Māori Wards. As part of the Representation Review Council also looked at the structure of its membership and the way they are elected.
Following a period of public submissions, Council resolved to add one Māori Ward (Horowhenua Māori Ward), changing the name from Foxton Community Board to Te Awahou Foxton Community Board, and altering the boundaries to the Te Awahou Foxton Community Board, Waiopehu Ward and Levin Ward. You can read the full decision on the Local Government Commission's website.
Changes to government legislation
Recent changes to government legislation required councils to decide by 6 September 2024 whether to retain or disestablish their Māori wards. If a council chose to retain its Māori ward, it must hold a binding referendum during the 2025 local elections, with costs borne by the council.
The Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024, enacted on 30 July 2024, outlines these requirements. Under the amended Act, councils that established Māori wards without a voter poll following the 2021 legislative changes must now hold a poll at the 2025 elections. Alternatively, councils may reverse their earlier decisions by either rescinding resolutions that have not yet been implemented or disestablishing Māori wards that are already in place.
Decision to retain the Horowhenua (Māori) Ward
On 4 September 2024, Horowhenua District Council voted 11-2 to retain the Horowhenua (Māori) Ward, following community feedback. An online survey conducted by Council received 513 responses, with 77.2% in favour of retaining the ward and 22.8% opposed. This decision reflects Council’s ongoing commitment to inclusive representation.
Under the amended legislation, councils that retain their Māori wards are required to hold a binding referendum as part of the 2025 local elections, giving ratepayers the final say on the ward’s future.
With the decision to retain the Horowhenua (Māori) Ward, Horowhenua District Council will now proceed with the necessary preparations for the referendum.