Māori Ward Poll
Background
The purpose of Māori wards is to provide specific democratic representation for Māori in local government.
Taupō District Council introduced the Te Papamārearea Māori ward at the 2022 election, with two seats in the ward, to improve Māori representation on the council.
The establishment of Māori wards has been debated over many years within communities and across both Central and Local Government.
Timeline
The timeline below shows key milestones and decision points in the establishment of Māori wards:
- 2001 - The Local Electoral Act allows councils to establish Māori wards subject to a condition that five per cent of the enrolled population can demand a poll to be held to determine the status of the Māori wards ('poll provisions').
- November 2020:Taupō District Council votes to introduce a Māori ward for the 2022 and 2025 Local Elections.
- April 2021: Taupō District Council confirms its decision to introduce Māori wards after Central Government removes the 'poll provision' from electoral legislation.
- October 2022: Two councillors elected to Council in the Te Papamārearea Māori ward in the 2022 Local Election.
- May 2024:Taupō District Council submission (PDF, 209KB) on the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Maori Wards and Maori Constituencies) Amendment Bill.
- July 2024: Central Government reinstates the 'poll provision' into electoral legislation and requires councils to decide to disestablish the Māori ward or have the voters decide whether to keep or remove the Te Papamārearea Māori ward.
- August 2024: Taupō District Council decides to hold a poll at the 2025 local elections.
- October 2025: At the 2025 Local Elections you will be asked to vote in a binding poll on whether to keep or remove the Te Papamārearea Māori ward.
