Māori Ward Poll 2025
A binding poll will take place alongside the Horowhenua District Council election for our Mayor and Councillors in October 2025.
All you need to know about voting in the binding poll
What’s the Māori Ward Poll 2025?
A binding poll will take place alongside the Horowhenua District Council election for our Mayor and Councillors in October.
You can vote from 9 September 2025 to 12.00 midday on 11 October 2025.
Can you vote in the Māori Ward Poll but not in the Council election?
Who can vote on the Māori Ward Poll?
Every elector has the ability to vote on whether to keep or remove the Māori Ward.
Why should I vote in the poll?
The binding poll on Māori Wards is compulsory for most councils in New Zealand. Its purpose is to enable communities to decide whether they want Māori wards.
What are Māori wards?
Māori wards in local government are the same as Māori seats in central government. Their purpose is to provide specific democratic representation for Māori who otherwise may not have a voice in decision-making.
Only those on the Māori electoral roll can vote for candidates standing in the Māori wards, and only those on the General role can vote for candidates standing for general wards. Everyone votes for the Mayor.
What does the decision mean – so what will happen next?
The result of the poll will be declared at the same time as the 2025 Horowhenua District Council election and the outcome will become effective from the 2028 election.
Regardless of the outcome, the Māori Ward and Māori constituencies will remain in place for the 2025-2027 term.
If the poll results declared are to keep the Māori Ward, the ward will remain in place for the next two elections being 2028 and 2031.
If the poll results declared are to remove the Māori Ward, the ward will be disestablished and won't be in place for the next two election 2028 and 2031.
The question in your voting pack is:
‘I vote to keep the Māori ward’ or ‘I vote to remove the Māori ward’.
Why is there debate about Māori wards?
This referendum is a central government requirement, and your decision will shape the 2028 Horowhenua District Council Election.
Why have Māori wards?
Māori wards guarantee representation on the Council and contribute to council decision-making as required under the Local Government Act 2002.
Are Māori wards consistent with the principle of one person, one vote?
Yes. Māori wards follow the principle of “one person, one vote.”
This means:
- People on the Māori roll vote the same as those on the General roll.
- A vote in a Māori ward has the same importance as a vote in any other ward.
- The number of Māori ward seats is determined based on the total number of councillor positions and the proportion of people on the Māori roll compared to the General roll.
Who is eligible to stand or vote in a Māori ward?
Any eligible person can stand for either type of seat on Council. Candidates must be New Zealand citizens, parliamentary electors, and nominated by two electors who are on the roll of the ward they are standing in. Only those on the Māori electoral roll can nominate and vote for candidates standing in Māori wards. Similarly, those on the General roll can only nominate and vote for candidates standing in general wards. Everyone votes for the Mayor.
For more information view the Vote Local, Vote 25 | Pōti 25 - Local Elections New Zealand website.
Quick facts
- Horowhenua District Council has five wards - Kere Kere, Levin, Miranui, Waiopehu and the Horowhenua Māori Ward.
- In October 2025, the Horowhenua electors will be asked in a binding poll to vote to keep Māori Wards or remove Māori Wards.
- If you want to vote in the Māori Ward Poll 2025 you must be enrolled to vote.
Background
In 2020/2021 Horowhenua District Council resolved unanimously to establish a Māori ward—a significant and progressive step at a time when only three other councils had Māori wards or constituencies in place. This decision was made possible by a legislative change that removed the poll provision, which had previously allowed council decisions to establish Māori wards to be overturned.
Following a representation review, it was determined that the district would have one ward representing the entire area for the 2022 local government elections:
- A Māori ward named 'Horowhenua Ward', represented by two councillors.
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.