View source for Māori wards and constituencies

{{Short description|Electoral unit representing Maori}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Māori sidebar}}
'''Māori wards and constituencies''' refer to wards and constituencies on urban, district, and regional councils in New Zealand that are elected by local constituents registered on the [[Māori people|Māori]] parliamentary electoral roll vote. Like [[Māori electorates]] within the [[New Zealand Parliament]], the purpose of Māori wards and constituencies is to ensure that Māori are represented in [[Local government in New Zealand|local government decision making]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Māori Wards |url=https://www.napier.govt.nz/our-council/elections/m/ |publisher=[[Napier City Council]] |access-date=16 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903032712/https://www.napier.govt.nz/our-council/elections/m/ |archive-date=3 September 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Māori constituencies for regional council |url=https://www.nrc.govt.nz/your-council/working-with-maori/maori-seats/ |publisher=[[Northland Regional Council]] |access-date=16 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220184000/https://www.nrc.govt.nz/your-council/working-with-maori/maori-seats/ |archive-date=20 February 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Māori wards and constituencies were first introduced by the [[Bay of Plenty Regional Council]] in 2001.<ref name="Hayward Treaty Challenge">{{cite report |author=Janine Hayward |date= 2002|title=The Treaty Challenge: Local Government and Maori |url=https://www.boprc.govt.nz/media/32503/Maori-200829-TheTreatyChallengeHaywardReport.pdf |publisher=Crown Forestry Rental Trust |pages=23–32 |access-date=22 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523011457/https://www.boprc.govt.nz/media/32503/Maori-200829-TheTreatyChallengeHaywardReport.pdf|archive-date=23 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to 2021, a local referendum was required to introduce Māori wards limiting adoption.<ref name="Voting and councillor">{{cite web|title=Voting and becoming a councillor|url=http://www.localcouncils.govt.nz/lgip.nsf/wpg_url/About-Local-Government-Participate-In-Local-Government-Voting-and-Becoming-a-Councillor#M%C4%81oriwardsandconstituencies|website=localcouncils.govt.nz|publisher=[[Department of Internal Affairs (New Zealand)|Department of Internal Affairs]]|access-date=22 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821191310/https://www.localcouncils.govt.nz/lgip.nsf/wpg_url/About-Local-Government-Participate-In-Local-Government-Voting-and-Becoming-a-Councillor|archive-date=21 August 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Consequently, attempts to introduce Māori wards and constituencies were defeated at several polls in [[New Plymouth]], [[Palmerston North]], the [[Western Bay of Plenty District Council|Western Bay of Plenty]], [[Whakatāne]], [[Manawatū District|Manawatu]], and [[Kaikōura]].<ref name="New Plymouth No">{{cite news|last1=Utiger|first1=Taryn|title=Resounding no to a Maori ward for New Plymouth district|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/68578894/resounding-no-to-a-maori-ward-for-new-plymouth-district|access-date=22 May 2018|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|work=[[Taranaki Daily News]]|date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303035945/https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/68578894/resounding-no-to-a-maori-ward-for-new-plymouth-district|archive-date=3 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RNZ 22 May 2018">{{cite news |last1=Hurihanganui|first1=Te Aniwa|title=Rejection of Māori wards: 'This is wrong' |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/357912/rejection-of-maori-wards-this-is-wrong|access-date=22 May 2018|work=[[Radio New Zealand]]|date=22 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828014839/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/357912/rejection-of-maori-wards-this-is-wrong|archive-date=28 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Mayor gutted">{{cite news|title=Mayor 'gutted' after public votes against Māori wards|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/357747/mayor-gutted-after-public-votes-against-maori-wards|access-date=23 May 2018|work=[[Radio New Zealand]]|date=19 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102632/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/357747/mayor-gutted-after-public-votes-against-maori-wards|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Manawatu No">{{cite news|last1=Kilmister|first1=Sam|last2=Rankin|first2=Janine|title=Manawatū Māori wards vote a resounding 'no'|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/103926070/manawat-mori-wards-vote-a-resounding-no|access-date=23 May 2018|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|date=15 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707130229/https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/103926070/manawat-mori-wards-vote-a-resounding-no|archive-date=7 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Maori TV 21 May 2018">{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Moana Makapelu|title=Four districts reject Maori wards|url=https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/four-districts-reject-maori-wards|access-date=23 May 2018|publisher=[[Māori Television]]|date=21 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102642/https://www.teaomaori.news/four-districts-reject-maori-wards|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

In late February 2021, the [[Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand|Sixth Labour Government]] passed the [[Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2021]], which eliminated the poll provision for establishing Māori wards and constituencies.<ref name="NZH ward amendment bill passes">{{cite news |last1=Wade |first1=Amelia |title=Bill to abolish local veto on Māori wards passes despite National's marathon opposition |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bill-to-abolish-local-veto-on-maori-wards-passes-despite-nationals-marathon-opposition/GWDQRDKNJSH5KFAVILXF2NP3EE/ |access-date=24 February 2021 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224112055/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bill-to-abolish-local-veto-on-maori-wards-passes-despite-nationals-marathon-opposition/GWDQRDKNJSH5KFAVILXF2NP3EE/ |archive-date=24 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RNZ wards amendment bill passes">{{cite news |last1=Scotcher |first1=Katie |title=Māori wards amendment bill passes final reading in Parliament |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/437105/maori-wards-amendment-bill-passes-final-reading-in-parliament |access-date=24 February 2021 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224112233/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/437105/maori-wards-amendment-bill-passes-final-reading-in-parliament|archive-date=24 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Consequently, by the 2022 local elections, six of the eleven regional councils (54.5%) had adopted Māori constituencies and 29 of the 67 territorial authorities (43.3%) had Māori wards.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=About Māori wards and constituencies - Vote 22 {{!}} Pōti 22 |url=https://www.votelocal.co.nz/maori-wards-and-constituencies/ |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=votelocal.co.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

In late November 2023, the [[Sixth National Government of New Zealand|Sixth National Government]] pledged to "restore the right of local referendum on the establishment or ongoing use of Māori wards."<ref name=":2">{{cite news |title=What the new government may mean for Māori and Te Tiriti|url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/11/24/what-the-new-government-may-mean-for-maori-te-tiriti/ |access-date=30 December 2023 |work=[[1News]] |publisher=[[TVNZ]] |date=24 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217003838/https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/11/24/what-the-new-government-may-mean-for-maori-te-tiriti/ |archive-date=17 December 2023}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite news |last1=LaHatte |first1=Deborah |title=Treaty issues among policy compromises for new government |url=https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2023/11/24/treaty-issues-among-policy-compromises-for-new-government/ |access-date=30 December 2023 |work=Te Ao Maori News |publisher=[[Maori Television]] |date=24 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204155514/https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2023/11/24/treaty-issues-among-policy-compromises-for-new-government/ |archive-date=4 December 2023}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{cite news |last1=Quinlivan |first1=Mark |title=Election 2023: National, ACT and NZ First's Coalition agreement |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/11/election-2023-national-act-and-nz-first-s-coalition-agreement.html |access-date=30 December 2023 |work=[[Newshub]] |date=24 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204140232/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/11/election-2023-national-act-and-nz-first-s-coalition-agreement.html |archive-date=4 December 2023}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite news |last1=Daalder |first1=Marc |title=Which policies survived the negotiations - and which didn't |url=https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/11/24/which-policies-survived-the-negotiations-and-which-didnt/ |access-date=30 December 2023 |work=[[Newsroom (website)|Newsroom]] |date=24 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204131439/https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/11/24/which-policies-survived-the-negotiations-and-which-didnt/ |archive-date=4 December 2023}}</ref> On 30 July 2024, the Sixth National Government passed [[Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024|a bill that reinstated the previous provisions requiring local referendums]] on the establishment or ongoing use of Māori wards.<ref name="RNZ 30 Jul 2024">{{cite news |title=Māori wards bill passes third reading |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/523622/maori-wards-bill-passes-third-reading |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=[[RNZ]] |date=30 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730095311/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/523622/maori-wards-bill-passes-third-reading |archive-date=30 July 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NZH 30 Jul 2024">{{cite news |last1=Gabel |first1=Julia |title=Legislation requiring local councils to hold polls on Māori wards passes in Parliament |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/legislation-requiring-local-councils-to-hold-polls-on-maori-wards-passes-in-parliament/AWUG6M36OBECNGE5PSMUEOVMOU/ |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=30 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730104903/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/legislation-requiring-local-councils-to-hold-polls-on-maori-wards-passes-in-parliament/AWUG6M36OBECNGE5PSMUEOVMOU/ |archive-date=30 July 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> 

Councils that had already established a Māori ward without a referendum will be required to [[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|hold a binding poll alongside the 2025 local elections or to disestablish them]].<ref name="RNZ 30 Jul 2024" />

== Background ==
Although in 2006 Māori formed 14.6% of New Zealand's population,<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 March 2007|title=QuickStats About Māori|url=http://infoshare.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Census/2006-reports/quickstats-subject/Maori/qstats-about-maori-2006-census.pdf|publisher=[[Statistics New Zealand]]}}</ref> a [[Department of Internal Affairs (New Zealand)|Department of Internal Affairs]] (DIA) survey found that 12% of candidates not elected at the October 2007 local elections were Māori and only 8% of winning candidates were Māori. By contrast the 66% of the population who are European had an 84% chance of losing candidates and a 90% chance of winning.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Local Authority candidates survey 2007|url=https://www.dia.govt.nz/Pubforms.nsf/URL/Local_Authority_Candidates_Survey_2007.pdf/$file/Local_Authority_Candidates_Survey_2007.pdf|publisher=[[Department of Internal Affairs (New Zealand)|Department of Internal Affairs]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020144042/https://www.dia.govt.nz/Pubforms.nsf/URL/Local_Authority_Candidates_Survey_2007.pdf/$file/Local_Authority_Candidates_Survey_2007.pdf|archive-date=20 October 2021}}</ref> The inequality was marginally smaller in 2016, with 89.8% of elected members being European and 10.1% Māori.<ref>{{Cite web|date=Feb 2019|title=New Zealand's elected members|url=https://www.lgnz.co.nz/assets/e41e5fb07f/Elected-Members-Profile-Report-FINAL.pdf|publisher=Local Government NZ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210024728/https://www.lgnz.co.nz/assets/e41e5fb07f/Elected-Members-Profile-Report-FINAL.pdf|archive-date=10 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

A feature of New Zealand's parliamentary representation arrangements is the system of [[Māori electorates]], which are for electors of [[Māori people|Māori descent]] who choose to be registered on the Māori electoral roll and are intended to give Māori a more direct say in Parliament. Equivalent provisions for local government are set out in section 19Z (and following) of the [[Local Electoral Act 2001]]. These provisions are opt-in and allow territorial authorities and regional councils to introduce Māori wards (in cities and districts) or constituencies (in regions) for electoral purposes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Local Electoral Act 2001 Section 19Z|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2001/0035/latest/DLM93914.html|website=New Zealand Legislation|publisher=[[Parliamentary Counsel Office (New Zealand)|Parliamentary Counsel Office]]|access-date=22 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023061636/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2001/0035/latest/DLM93914.html|archive-date=23 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

The number of members elected to a council through its Māori wards or constituencies is determined after determining the total number of councillors for the city or district or region, in proportion to the number of members elected to the council through its general wards and constituencies, such that:<math display="block">\mathsf{\text{Number of Māori members}=\frac\text{Māori electoral population}\text{Total electoral population}\times \text{Number of members}}</math>The number of members excludes the mayor, who is elected separately. The total electoral population includes all electors in the city, district or region, regardless of whether they are on the general electoral roll or the Māori electoral roll. The number of Māori members is rounded to the nearest whole number. If the calculated number of Māori members is zero, the council must resolve against having separate Māori and general wards.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 March 2021|title=Local Electoral Act 2001 Schedule 1A Provisions relating to Māori wards and Māori constituencies|url=https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2001/0035/latest/DLM95358.html|access-date=2021-04-15|website=Legislation New Zealand|publisher=[[Parliamentary Counsel Office (New Zealand)|Parliamentary Counsel Office]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417003722/https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2001/0035/latest/DLM95358.html|archive-date=17 April 2021}}</ref>

Until the passage of the [[Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2021]] into law, Māori wards and constituencies could be established by decision of the council, or through a local referendum (called, under the Act, a "poll"). If a council resolved to establish Māori wards or constituencies, it had to notify its residents of their right to demand a poll on the establishment of the wards and constituencies (the "poll provision"). If a petition signed by 5 percent of the electors of the city, district or region was presented to the council, the poll must be held within 89 days. All electors (not specifically electors of Māori descent or those on the Māori electoral roll) could demand and vote in a binding poll on Māori wards and constituencies. The result of the poll was binding for two local body elections, after which the council could choose to retain the status quo or adopt another change.<ref name="Voting and councillor" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/BILL_105854/local-electoral-m%C4%81ori-wards-and-m%C4%81ori-constituencies |publisher=[[New Zealand Parliament]] |access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

==History==
===Introduction===
Māori wards and constituencies have proved contentious, as the poll provision (outlined above) has frequently overturned councils' decisions. While a general establishment provision has been available since 2002, the first Māori constituencies were established for the [[Bay of Plenty Regional Council]] in 2001 under a unique piece of legislation. Population ratios were such that the council was able to establish three Māori constituencies. The introduction of Māori wards and constituencies was supported by the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]], [[Alliance (New Zealand political party)|Alliance]], and [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green]] parties, it was opposed by the conservative [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]], the populist [[New Zealand First]] Party, and the libertarian [[ACT New Zealand|ACT Party]].<ref name="Hayward Treaty Challenge" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Maori seats|url=https://www.boprc.govt.nz/about-council/kaupapa-maori/maori-seats/|publisher=[[Bay of Plenty Regional Council]]|access-date=22 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523011510/https://www.boprc.govt.nz/about-council/kaupapa-maori/maori-seats/|archive-date=23 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Wood|first1=Ray|title=The truth about Maori wards|url=https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/179506-the-truth-about-maori-wards.html|access-date=22 May 2018|work=SunLive|date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218053248/https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/179506-the-truth-about-maori-wards.html|archive-date=18 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> (While he supported the 2002 amendment to the Local Electoral Act, the Green Party co-leader, [[Rod Donald]], though not his Party, had opposed the Bay of Plenty legislation due to its compulsory nature and preferring Single Transferable Votes.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Donald|first=Rod|date=2002|title=Committee of the Whole House Debate on the Local Government Bill|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1Iwfzv-Mt3CSUNtd1hGZHUxWDQ/view|journal=Hansard|volume=605|pages=623}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=[[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand]]|title=Greens Support Bay Of Plenty Regional Bill |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0105/S00344.htm|access-date=2020-11-14|website=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225030434/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0105/S00344.htm|archive-date=25 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>)

In 2006, the National Party MP for [[Bay of Plenty (New Zealand electorate)|Bay of Plenty]], [[Tony Ryall]] (who had been [[Minister of Local Government (New Zealand)|Minister of Local Government]] for six months in 1998–1999), moved a [[private member's bill]] seeking the repeal of both pieces of Māori ward legislation, arguing that, since the opt-in provisions in the Local Electoral Act 2001 had not been used in four years, the wards were "unused... antiquated... not necessary [and] divisive." The motion failed.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Local Electoral (Repeal of Race-Based Representation) Amendment Bill — First Reading - New Zealand Parliament|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/48HansD_20061122_00001409/local-electoral-repeal-of-race-based-representation|access-date=2020-11-14|publisher=[[New Zealand Parliament]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116084700/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/48HansD_20061122_00001409/local-electoral-repeal-of-race-based-representation|archive-date=16 November 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Initial expansion and resistance===
{{multiple image
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|image1 = Hon Te Ururoa Flavell, Te Ritorito 2017 (cropped).png
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|footer = [[Māori Party]] MP [[Te Ururoa Flavell]] supported the expansion of Māori wards while former politician [[Don Brash]] led the [[Hobson's Pledge]] group opposing it.<ref name="Finlayson report" /><ref name="Te Ao 20 Apr 2018" />}}
In 2010, [[Māori Party]] MP [[Te Ururoa Flavell]] sought a law change to make it compulsory for all councils to have Māori seats. At that time, Bay of Plenty Regional Council was still the only local authority to have Māori representation. Flavell's proposal failed, but not before it was declared to be inconsistent with the [[New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990]] due to using a different Māori representation formula that the [[Attorney-General (New Zealand)|Attorney-General]] [[Chris Finlayson]] stated would "lead to disparity in representation between Māori wards... and general wards."<ref name="Finlayson report">{{Cite web|last=Finlayson|first=Christopher|date=2010|title=Report of the Attorney-General under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 on the Local Electoral (Māori Representation) Amendment Bill|url=https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Publications/BORA-Local-Electoral-Maori-Representation-Amendment-Bill.pdf|publisher=[[Ministry of Justice (New Zealand)|Ministry of Justice]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222040510/https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Publications/BORA-Local-Electoral-Maori-Representation-Amendment-Bill.pdf|archive-date=22 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Local Electoral (Māori Representation) Amendment Bill |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/00DBHOH_BILL9884_1/local-electoral-m%C4%81ori-representation-amendment-bill|access-date=14 November 2020|publisher=[[New Zealand Parliament]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120194824/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/00DBHOH_BILL9884_1/local-electoral-m%C4%81ori-representation-amendment-bill|archive-date=20 November 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The difference was that the formula used the number of people of Māori descent rather than the number of people on the Māori electoral roll.

In October 2011, the [[Waikato Regional Council]] voted 14–2 to establish two Māori seats in preparation for the [[2013 New Zealand local elections|2013 local body elections]].<ref name=":11">{{cite web|title=Council votes to establish Maori seats|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/community/whats-happening/news/media-releases-archived/council-votes-to-establish-maori-seats/|publisher=[[Waikato Regional Council]]|access-date=23 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025044541/https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/community/whats-happening/news/media-releases-archived/council-votes-to-establish-maori-seats/|archive-date=25 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> A poll was not demanded and the constituencies were established.<ref>{{cite news |title=Waikato Regional Council Maori seats set |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/113976/waikato-regional-council-maori-seats-set |access-date=18 November 2021 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=24 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118111841/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/113976/waikato-regional-council-maori-seats-set |archive-date=18 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> In late October 2017, the Waikato Regional Council voted by a margin of 7–3 to retain both  Māori constituencies Nga Hau e Wha and Nga Tai ki Uta.<ref>{{cite news |author1=[[Waikato Regional Council]] |title=Maori seats to be retained at Waikato Regional Council |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1710/S00554/maori-seats-to-be-retained-at-waikato-regional-council.htm |access-date=18 November 2021 |work=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop]] |date=26 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025044539/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1710/S00554/maori-seats-to-be-retained-at-waikato-regional-council.htm |archive-date=25 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014, the Mayor of [[New Plymouth]] [[Andrew Judd]] proposed introducing a Māori ward in the [[New Plymouth District Council]]. The council resolved to do so, but was defeated in a 2015 referendum by a margin of 83% to 17%. The backlash Judd experienced was an influence on his decision not to run for a second term during the [[2016 New Zealand local elections|2016 local body elections]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Utiger|first1=Taryn|title=New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd looks back on his three years as a 'recovering racist'|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/84406306/new-plymouth-mayor-andrew-judd-looks-back-on-his-three-years-as-a-recovering-racist?rm=m|access-date=22 May 2018|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|work=[[Taranaki Daily News]]|date=30 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410120615/https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/84406306/new-plymouth-mayor-andrew-judd-looks-back-on-his-three-years-as-a-recovering-racist?rm=m|archive-date=10 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="New Plymouth No" /> In April 2016, Flavell, now a [[Māori Party]] co-leader, presented a petition to the New Zealand Parliament on behalf of Judd that advocated (as Flavell had done previously) the establishment of mandatory Māori wards on every district council in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Backhouse|first1=Matthew|title=Maori Party calls for law change|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11619847|access-date=23 May 2018|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=10 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511131136/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11619847|archive-date=11 May 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2017, a private members' bill in the name of [[Marama Davidson]] sought to remove the poll provision, but was defeated during its first reading.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Davidson|first1=Marama|title=Local Electoral (Equitable Process for Establishing Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/BILL_74074/tab/reports|access-date=23 May 2018|publisher=New Zealand Parliament|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523101214/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/BILL_74074/tab/reports|archive-date=23 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Davidson|first1=Marama|title=Local Electoral (Equitable Process for Establishing Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/member/2017/0261/latest/DLM7251804.html?src=qs|access-date=23 May 2018|website=New Zealand Legislation|publisher=[[Parliamentary Counsel Office (New Zealand)|Parliamentary Counsel Office]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523100052/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/member/2017/0261/latest/DLM7251804.html?src=qs|archive-date=23 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

A poll on establishing Māori wards at [[Wairoa District Council]] was held alongside that council's October 2016 triennial election and was successful; elections for three Māori seats at that council were held in October 2019.<ref name=":12">{{Cite news|date=18 November 2019|title=Māori seat rules need to change - Wairoa mayor|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/403546/maori-seat-rules-need-to-change-wairoa-mayor|access-date=16 November 2021|work=[[Radio New Zealand]]|language=en-nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114181247/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/403546/maori-seat-rules-need-to-change-wairoa-mayor|archive-date=14 January 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Following this result, five territorial authorities ([[Palmerston North City Council]], [[Kaikōura District Council]], [[Whakatāne District Council]], [[Manawatū District|Manawatu District Council]], and [[Western Bay of Plenty District Council]]) approved, in separate decisions over late 2017, to introduce Māori wards for the [[2019 New Zealand local elections|2019 local elections]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rankin|first1=Janine|date=24 October 2017|title=Palmerston North City councillors vote for Māori seats|work=[[Manawatu Standard]]|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/98102869/palmerston-north-votes-for-mori-seats|access-date=23 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408044231/https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/98102869/palmerston-north-votes-for-mori-seats|archive-date=8 April 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The facts about Maori representation at Council|url=https://www.kaikoura.govt.nz/assets/The-facts-about-Maori-representation-at-Council.pdf|publisher=[[Kaikōura District Council]]|access-date=22 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127182048/https://www.kaikoura.govt.nz/assets/The-facts-about-Maori-representation-at-Council.pdf|archive-date=27 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Whakatane votes for Māori wards|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/11/whakatane-votes-for-maori-wards.html|access-date=23 May 2018|work=[[Newshub]]|date=16 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707122351/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/11/whakatane-votes-for-maori-wards.html|archive-date=7 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Kilmister|first1=Sam|title=Manawatū District Council guarantees Māori seats at next election|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/98923312/manawat-district-council-guarantees-mori-seats-at-next-election|access-date=23 May 2018|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|date=16 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315202934/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/98923312/manawat-district-council-guarantees-mori-seats-at-next-election|archive-date=15 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Western BOP Council votes for Māori ward|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/344380/western-bop-council-votes-for-maori-ward|access-date=23 May 2018|work=[[Radio New Zealand]]|date=21 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707100031/https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/344380/western-bop-council-votes-for-maori-ward|archive-date=7 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In response, the lobby group [[Hobson's Pledge]] (fronted by former [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]] and [[ACT New Zealand]] leader [[Don Brash]]) organised several petitions calling for local referendums on the matter of introducing Māori wards and constituencies, taking advantage of the poll provision.<ref name="Hobson's Pledge Petition">{{cite web|title=Petitions to demand votes on separate Maori wards|url=https://www.hobsonspledge.nz/signatures_needed_for_petitions_on_local_body_maori_wards|publisher=[[Hobson's Pledge]]|access-date=22 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206214921/https://www.hobsonspledge.nz/signatures_needed_for_petitions_on_local_body_maori_wards|archive-date=6 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Te Ao 20 Apr 2018">{{cite news |last1=Timutimu |first1=Ripeka|title=Fight for Māori wards like Nazi Germany – Hobson's Pledge supporter|url=https://www.teaomaori.news/fight-maori-wards-nazi-germany-hobsons-pledge-supporter|access-date=22 May 2018|publisher=[[Māori Television]]|date=30 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109030647/https://www.teaomaori.news/fight-maori-wards-nazi-germany-hobsons-pledge-supporter|archive-date=9 November 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> These polls were granted and held in early 2018.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tuckey|first1=Karoline|title=Māori wards for Manawatū councils put to the vote in referendums|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/103378035/mori-wards-for-manawat-councils-put-to-the-vote-in-referendums|access-date=23 May 2018|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|work=[[Manawatu Standard]]|date=25 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Referendum hurdle for Maori wards|url=https://waateanews.com/2018/02/19/referendum-hurdle-for-maori-wards/|access-date=23 May 2018|publisher=[[Te Whakaruruhau o Nga Reo Irirangi Māori#Stations|Radio Waatea]]|date=19 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027071135/https://www.waateanews.com/waateanews/x_news/MTg0MzQ/National%20News/www.waateanews.com/waateanews/x_news/MTg0MzQ/National%20News/Referendum-hurdle-for-Maori-wards|archive-date=27 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Western Bay Maori wards referendum going ahead|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11998740|access-date=23 May 2018|work=[[Bay of Plenty Times]]; [[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=21 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707093253/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11998740|archive-date=7 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Each poll failed; Māori wards were rejected by voters in Palmerston North (68.8%), Western Bay of Plenty (78.2%), Whakatāne (56.4%), Manawatu (77%), and Kaikōura (55%) on 19 May 2018. The average voter turnout in those polls was about 40%.<ref name="RNZ 22 May 2018" /><ref name="Mayor gutted" /><ref name="Manawatu No" /><ref name="Maori TV 21 May 2018" />

The rejection of Māori wards was welcomed by Brash and conservative broadcaster [[Mike Hosking]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Butler|first1=Michael|title=Brash: Respect 'No' votes on Maori wards|url=https://www.hobsonspledge.nz/brash_respect_no_votes_on_maori_wards|publisher=Hobson's Pledge|access-date=22 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102616/https://www.hobsonspledge.nz/brash_respect_no_votes_on_maori_wards|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Hosking|first1=Mike|title=Mike Hosking: Good riddance to Māori ward nonsense|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mike-hosking-good-riddance-to-maori-ward-nonsense/FB2H2R2QH7RPUUUYKPVKPR62LI/?c_id=1&objectid=12055395|access-date=23 May 2018|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=21 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109070010/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mike-hosking-good-riddance-to-maori-ward-nonsense/FB2H2R2QH7RPUUUYKPVKPR62LI/|archive-date=9 November 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> By contrast, the referendum results were met with dismay by [[Mayor of Whakatane|Whakatāne Mayor]] Tony Bonne and several Māori leaders including Labour MPs [[Willie Jackson (politician)|Willie Jackson]] and [[Tāmati Coffey]], former Māori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell, Bay of Plenty resident and activist Toni Boynton, and left-wing advocacy group [[ActionStation]] national director [[Laura O'Connell Rapira]].<ref name="Maori TV 21 May 2018" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Hobson's Pledge using 'scare tactics' to block Māori Wards – Te Ururoa Flavell|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/05/hobson-s-pledge-using-scare-tactics-to-block-maori-wards-te-ururoa-flavell.html|access-date=22 May 2018|publisher=[[Newshub]]|date=22 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102618/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/05/hobson-s-pledge-using-scare-tactics-to-block-maori-wards-te-ururoa-flavell.html|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="The Spinoff 14 May 2018">{{cite news|last1=O'Connell Rapira|first1=Laura|title=Why we need Māori wards|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/14-05-2018/why-we-need-maori-wards/|access-date=22 May 2018|publisher=[[The Spinoff]]|date=14 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116105615/https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/14-05-2018/why-we-need-maori-wards/|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> In response, ActionStation organised a petition calling on the [[Minister of Local Government (New Zealand)|Minister of Local Government]], [[Nanaia Mahuta]], to change the law so that establishing a Māori ward uses the same process as establishing a general ward (general wards are not subject to the poll provision, but have a different appeals process through the [[Local Government Commission (New Zealand)|Local Government Commission]]).<ref name="Action Station petition">{{cite web |title=Change the discriminatory law that enabled the Māori wards referenda |url=https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/change-the-discriminatory-law-that-enabled-the-maori-wards-referenda|publisher=ActionStation|access-date=22 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102618/https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/change-the-discriminatory-law-that-enabled-the-maori-wards-referenda|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]] has supported changes to the laws regarding Māori wards and constituencies. Two bills were introduced by backbench Labour MP [[Rino Tirikatene]] in 2019 (the first a local bill seeking permanent representation for [[Ngāi Tahu]] on the [[Environment Canterbury|Canterbury Regional Council]]; the second a member's bill to ensure that the repeal of legislation establishing [[Māori electorates|Māori seats]] in Parliament must be subject to a 75% supermajority of Parliament), but both failed.<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 April 2019|title=Ngāi Tahu Representation Bill voted down in Parliament|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/386292/ngai-tahu-representation-bill-voted-down-in-parliament|access-date=14 November 2020|work=[[Radio New Zealand]]|language=en-nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102639/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/386292/ngai-tahu-representation-bill-voted-down-in-parliament|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Electoral (Entrenchment of Māori Seats) Amendment Bill — Second Reading |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20191210_20191211_12|access-date=14 November 2020|publisher=[[New Zealand Parliament]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102620/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20191210_20191211_12|archive-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

== 2021–22 legislative reform ==
[[File:Hon Nanaia Mahuta.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Labour MP and Local Government Minister [[Nanaia Mahuta]] introduced legislation in 2021 abolishing the poll requirement for Māori wards and constituencies.]]
Nine local authorities determined to establish Māori wards ahead of the [[2022 New Zealand local elections]] ([[Whangarei District Council]], [[Kaipara District Council]], [[Northland Regional Council]], [[Tauranga City Council]], [[Gisborne District Council]], [[Ruapehu District Council]], [[Taupō District Council]], [[New Plymouth District Council]], and [[South Taranaki District Council]]).<ref>{{Cite news|title=Whangārei District Council votes to introduce Māori wards|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/whangarei-district-council-votes-to-introduce-maori-wards/DQIAI4YHQR4Y4LJOVMRMFJ3TIY/|date=3 November 2020|access-date=14 November 2020|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102624/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/whangarei-district-council-votes-to-introduce-maori-wards/DQIAI4YHQR4Y4LJOVMRMFJ3TIY/|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=Plans for poll on Northland over Māori wards could be scuppered by Minister|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/plans-for-poll-on-northland-over-maori-wards-could-be-scuppered-by-minister/PUHJFI6AES3W4V7KPGPR67AY5I/|date=5 November 2020|access-date=14 November 2021|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116104117/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/plans-for-poll-on-northland-over-maori-wards-could-be-scuppered-by-minister/PUHJFI6AES3W4V7KPGPR67AY5I/|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=25 August 2020|title=Tauranga City Council votes for Māori ward|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/424402/tauranga-city-council-votes-for-maori-ward|access-date=14 November 2020|work=[[Radio New Zealand]]|language=en-nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019051724/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/424402/tauranga-city-council-votes-for-maori-ward|archive-date=19 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Ruapehu District Council votes in favour of Māori wards for 2022|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/123266634/ruapehu-district-council-votes-in-favour-of-mori-wards-for-2022|date=2 November 2020|access-date=18 November 2021|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102624/https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/123266634/ruapehu-district-council-votes-in-favour-of-mori-wards-for-2022|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=New Plymouth councillors vote to establish Māori ward|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/122195753/new-plymouth-councillors-vote-to-establish-mori-ward|date=21 July 2021|access-date=18 November 2021|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102621/https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/122195753/new-plymouth-councillors-vote-to-establish-mori-ward|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-11-12|title=Unanimous South Taranaki District Council vote for Māori wards is welcomed|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/300157256/unanimous-south-taranaki-district-council-vote-for-mori-wards-is-welcomed|access-date=2020-11-14|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102621/https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/122195753/new-plymouth-councillors-vote-to-establish-mori-ward|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-28 |title=Systemic racism at heart of Māori wards debate - ex-mayor |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/431649/systemic-racism-at-heart-of-maori-wards-debate-ex-mayor |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref> While polls for some of those districts were signalled,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Call for 'silent majority' to step up in New Plymouth Māori ward debate|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/122148857/call-for-silent-majority-to-step-up-in-new-plymouth-mori-ward-debate|access-date=14 November 2020|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102616/https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/122148857/call-for-silent-majority-to-step-up-in-new-plymouth-mori-ward-debate|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Tauranga Maori wards challenged |url=https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/255088-tauranga-maori-wards-challenged.html|date=20 July 2020|access-date=14 November 2020|work=SunLive|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102618/https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/255088-tauranga-maori-wards-challenged.html|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Minister of Local Government (New Zealand)|Minister of Local Government]] [[Nanaia Mahuta]] stated in November 2020 that removing the poll provision was "on her list" for the [[Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand|Sixth Labour Government]]'s second term.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Mahuta vows to clear obstacles to creating Māori council wards|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/430010/mahuta-vows-to-clear-obstacles-to-creating-maori-council-wards|date=6 November 2020|access-date=14 November 2020|work=[[Radio New Zealand]]|language=en-nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102716/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/430010/mahuta-vows-to-clear-obstacles-to-creating-maori-council-wards|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Maori seat veto set to go|url=https://www.waateanews.com/waateanews/x_news/MjU5NjQ/Paakiwaha/Maori-seat-veto-set-to-go|date=2 November 2020|access-date=14 November 2020|website=Waatea News|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102619/https://waateanews.com/2020/11/02/maori-seat-veto-set-to-go/|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 February 2021, Mahuta announced that the Government would establish a new law upholding local council decisions to establish Māori wards and abolishing the existing law allowing local referendums to veto decisions by councils to establish Māori wards. This law would come into effect before the scheduled 2022 local body elections.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Audrey |title=Govt set to abolish local veto on councils' Māori wards |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/govt-set-to-abolish-local-veto-on-councils-maori-wards/GKBFXIFKBKO24ZRH5PFPKGX42U/ |access-date=1 February 2021 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=1 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201105300/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/govt-set-to-abolish-local-veto-on-councils-maori-wards/GKBFXIFKBKO24ZRH5PFPKGX42U/ |archive-date=1 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Changes to 'fundamentally unfair' process to make way for Māori wards |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/435579/changes-to-fundamentally-unfair-process-to-make-way-for-maori-wards |access-date=1 February 2021 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=1 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201110407/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/435579/changes-to-fundamentally-unfair-process-to-make-way-for-maori-wards|archive-date=1 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> On 25 February, Mahuta's [[Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2021]], which eliminates mechanisms for holding referendums on the establishment of Māori wards and constituencies on local bodies, passed its third reading in Parliament with the support of the Labour, Green and Māori parties. The bill was unsuccessfully opposed by the National and ACT parties, with the former mounting a twelve-hour filibuster challenging all of the Bill's ten clauses.<ref name="NZH ward amendment bill passes" /><ref name="RNZ wards amendment bill passes" />

Councils were also given a fresh opportunity to make decisions about establishing Māori wards after the law change; as a result, at the 2022 local elections, six of the eleven regional councils (54.5%) have Māori constituencies and 29 of the 67 territorial authorities (43.3%) had Māori wards.<ref name=":1"/> Until this point, only [[Bay of Plenty Regional Council]], [[Waikato Regional Council]] and [[Wairoa District Council]] had had elections with Māori wards or constituencies.

Between August and November 2023, Māori wards or constituencies were agreed to be introduced at a further group of councils for the 2025 and 2028 local elections, including [[Western Bay of Plenty District Council]],<ref name=":6">{{cite news |last1=Gillespie |first1=Kiri |date=17 August 2023 |title=Māori wards approved for Western Bay council in 'momentous' decision affecting next two elections |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/maori-wards-approved-for-western-bay-council-in-momentous-decision-affecting-next-two-elections/Y7V27FHEXRFA7KPKFZ3IFRXYVM/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825004930/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/maori-wards-approved-for-western-bay-council-in-momentous-decision-affecting-next-two-elections/Y7V27FHEXRFA7KPKFZ3IFRXYVM/ |archive-date=25 August 2023}}</ref> [[Hauraki District Council]],<ref name=":7">{{cite news |date=27 October 2023 |title=Hauraki District Council to establish Māori wards, joining eight other Waikato councils |work=[[Waikato Herald]] |publisher=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/hauraki-district-council-to-establish-maori-wards-joining-eight-other-waikato-councils/XESDWQ632NDYJELE44IQ56C35M/ |access-date=7 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101171336/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/hauraki-district-council-to-establish-maori-wards-joining-eight-other-waikato-councils/XESDWQ632NDYJELE44IQ56C35M/ |archive-date=1 November 2023}}</ref> [[Whanganui District Council]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ellis |first1=Moana |date=24 October 2023 |title=Whanganui District Council votes for Māori wards |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/500917/whanganui-district-council-votes-for-maori-wards |url-status=live |access-date=7 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101092326/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/500917/whanganui-district-council-votes-for-maori-wards |archive-date=1 November 2023}}</ref> [[Thames-Coromandel District Council]],<ref name=":8">{{cite news |date=31 October 2023 |title=Māori wards: Thames-Coromandel District Council unanimously votes for Māori representation |work=[[Waikato Herald]] |publisher=[[NZME]] |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/maori-wards-thames-coromandel-district-council-unanimously-votes-for-maori-representation/GGKGLKM26VBTXHBQ6POU3TCPIY/ |access-date=7 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104080034/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/maori-wards-thames-coromandel-district-council-unanimously-votes-for-maori-representation/GGKGLKM26VBTXHBQ6POU3TCPIY/ |archive-date=4 November 2023}}</ref> [[Greater Wellington Regional Council]],<ref name=":9">{{cite news |last1=Cleary |first1=Bella |date=3 November 2023 |title=GWRC votes to support Māori ward |work=[[Wairarapa Times-Age]] |url=https://times-age.co.nz/local-government/greater-wellington-regional-council/greater-wellington-votes-yes-to-maori-ward/ |access-date=7 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106115434/https://times-age.co.nz/local-government/greater-wellington-regional-council/greater-wellington-votes-yes-to-maori-ward/ |archive-date=6 November 2023}}</ref> and [[Upper Hutt City Council]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=21 November 2023 |title=Hutt City Council votes to establish Māori Ward |url=https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=156664 |access-date=8 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref> The introduction of Māori wards was lost at [[Auckland Council]] in an 11–9 vote that followed two months of consultation. While 68% of non-Māori respondents opposed the Māori wards proposal, 54% of the 1,300 Māori respondents supported them. 87% of the 17 Māori organisations consulted including Te Whānau o Waipareira, supported the proposal. In addition, right-wing lobby group Hobson's Pledge sent councillors 1,200 emails opposing Māori wards.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hurihanganui |first1=Te Aniwa |date=26 October 2023 |title=Auckland Council rejects Māori wards for 2025 local elections |work=[[1News]] |publisher=[[TVNZ]] |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/10/26/auckland-council-rejects-maori-wards-for-2025-local-elections/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107044031/https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/10/26/auckland-council-rejects-maori-wards-for-2025-local-elections/ |archive-date=7 November 2023}}</ref>

=== Rotorua Lakes Council local bill ===
[[File:Tāmati Coffey.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Labour MP [[Tāmati Coffey]] sponsored the Rotorua District Council (Representation Arrangements) Bill.]]
In mid-November 2021, the [[Rotorua Lakes Council]] voted to establish a Māori ward. The Māori partnership organisation Te Tatau o Te Arawa expressed disappointment with the council's decision, claiming that it did not provide Māori with adequate representation. While Rotorua District councillors had preferred a governing arrangement consisting of three Māori ward seats, three general seats, and four at-large seats, that model was not lawful under the [[Local Electoral Act 2001]].<ref>{{cite news |title='We are walking ourselves right into a disaster': Council votes for one Māori ward seat at table |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/456123/we-are-walking-ourselves-right-into-a-disaster-council-votes-for-one-maori-ward-seat-at-table |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=19 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409080808/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/456123/we-are-walking-ourselves-right-into-a-disaster-council-votes-for-one-maori-ward-seat-at-table |archive-date=9 April 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RNZ Rotorua Explained">{{cite news |last1=Desmarais |first1=Felix |title=Rotorua Lakes Council's representation review, ward models and law change push explained |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/464456/rotorua-lakes-council-s-representation-review-ward-models-and-law-change-push-explained |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425223127/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/464456/rotorua-lakes-council-s-representation-review-ward-models-and-law-change-push-explained |archive-date=25 April 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2022, Labour Member of Parliament [[Tāmati Coffey]] introduced a local bill on behalf of the council, the Rotorua District Council (Representation Arrangements) Bill, seeking an exemption from the Local Electoral Act's requirements preventing the council's preferred 3-3-4 governing arrangement.<ref name="RNZ Rotorua Explained" /> The Rotorua bill passed its first reading on 6 April 2022 and was referred to the Māori Affairs Committee. The Labour, Green and Māori parties (77 votes) supported the bill while the National and ACT parties opposed the bill.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rotorua District Council (Representation Arrangements) Bill — First Reading |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20220406_20220406_20 |publisher=[[New Zealand Parliament]] |access-date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406205737/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20220406_20220406_20 |archive-date=6 April 2022 |date=6 April 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Following complaints about the short two-weeks timeframe for submission, the bill's submission period was extended until 4 May 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Public submissions on Rotorua Māori wards bill extended after concerns about rushed process |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/public-submissions-on-rotorua-maori-wards-bill-extended-after-concerns-about-rushed-process/SQOH7543B5L2OWK5P42EAXRUNU/ |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=21 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425221600/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/public-submissions-on-rotorua-maori-wards-bill-extended-after-concerns-about-rushed-process/SQOH7543B5L2OWK5P42EAXRUNU/ |archive-date=25 April 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

In late April 2022, the [[Attorney General (New Zealand)|Attorney General]] [[David Parker (New Zealand politician)|David Parker]] released a report expressing concern that the proposed Rotorua electoral bill breached the [[New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990]] since it discriminated against general roll voters by allocating more seats to Māori ward voters. Rotorua's general roll had 55,600 voters while its Māori roll had 21,700 voters. In response, Māori Development Minister [[Willie Jackson (politician)|Willie Jackson]] and Deputy Prime Minister [[Grant Robertson]] stated that they would not support the bill in its current form. The National Party's justice spokesperson [[Paul Goldsmith (politician)|Paul Goldsmith]] claimed that the bill breached the principle of "equal suffrage" by giving  Māori electoral roll votes 2.5 times the value of general roll votes. Māori Party co-leader [[Rawiri Waititi]] defended Coffey's Rotorua Bill, claiming that it gave equal representation to Māori.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McConnell |first1=Glenn |title=Changes likely for Rotorua's election bill amid concern it's undemocratic |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/300573631/changes-likely-for-rotoruas-election-bill-amid-concern-its-undemocratic |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=26 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427060820/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/300573631/changes-likely-for-rotoruas-election-bill-amid-concern-its-undemocratic |archive-date=27 April 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Labour support falters as Rotorua electoral bill 'fallen foul' of Bill of Rights |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/466019/labour-support-falters-as-rotorua-electoral-bill-fallen-foul-of-bill-of-rights |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=27 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428015459/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/466019/labour-support-falters-as-rotorua-electoral-bill-fallen-foul-of-bill-of-rights |archive-date=28 April 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Rotorua Council plan fails Bill of Rights test |url=https://waateanews.com/2022/04/25/rotorua-council-plan-fails-bill-of-rights-test/ |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=[[Waatea News]] |date=25 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425040701/https://waateanews.com/2022/04/25/rotorua-council-plan-fails-bill-of-rights-test/ |archive-date=25 April 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> On 28 April 2022, Coffey and the Rotorua Lakes Council agreed to "pause" the bill's select committee process in order to address the legal issues raised by the Attorney General.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Desmarals |first1=Felix |title=Rotorua Lakes Council to 'pause' controversial Māori wards bill |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-lakes-council-to-pause-controversial-maori-wards-bill/U744IYIWE7URWVUNLMJNQSMYUA/ |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428135850/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-lakes-council-to-pause-controversial-maori-wards-bill/U744IYIWE7URWVUNLMJNQSMYUA/ |archive-date=28 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=McConnell |first1=Glenn |title=Rotorua District Council agrees to pause its representation bill |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300575600/rotorua-district-council-agrees-to-pause-its-representation-bill |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428140158/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300575600/rotorua-district-council-agrees-to-pause-its-representation-bill |archive-date=28 April 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the [[2022 New Zealand local elections]], the Rotorua Lakes Council with the exception of Māori ward councillors Rawiri Waru and Trevor Maxwell voted to withdraw its support for the bill in February 2023.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Gillespie |first1=Kiri|title='Assault on democracy': Council withdraws support of controversial Māori representation bill |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-lakes-council-votes-to-scrap-controversial-maori-representation-bill-democracy-is-tapu/2JISR74U4JCAJIXECJPGY2TRMI/ |access-date=30 July 2023 |work=[[Rotorua Daily Post]] |date=22 February 2023  |language=en-NZ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104000545/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-lakes-council-votes-to-scrap-controversial-maori-representation-bill-democracy-is-tapu/2JISR74U4JCAJIXECJPGY2TRMI/|archive-date=4 November 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Laura|title='Done and dusted': controversial Rotorua representation bill confirmed as scrapped |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-councils-representation-bill-confirmed-as-scrapped/HEXB777QVFH2DB2QPQL3KT5FIE/ |access-date=30 July 2023 |work=[[Rotorua Daily Post]] |date=1 March 2023|language=en-NZ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002130653/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-councils-representation-bill-confirmed-as-scrapped/HEXB777QVFH2DB2QPQL3KT5FIE/|archive-date=2 October 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Canterbury Regional Council local bill ===
[[File:Rino Tirikatene.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Labour MP [[Rino Tirikatene]] sponsored the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Bill.]]
In early December 2021, [[Rino Tirikatene]]'s local bill on behalf of the Canterbury Regional Council ([[Environment Canterbury]]), the [[Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Bill]], passed its first reading in the New Zealand Parliament by a margin of 77 to 43 votes. While the Labour, Green and Māori parties supported the legislation, it was opposed by the opposition National and ACT parties.<ref>{{cite web |title=Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Bill — First Reading |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20211208_20211208_32 |publisher=[[New Zealand Parliament]] |access-date=28 April 2022 |date=8 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428141749/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20211208_20211208_32|archive-date=28 April 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> The bill proposes adding two seats for Māori tribal [[Ngāi Tahu]] representatives to the Environment Canterbury, boosting the body's membership to 16 members. The proposed legislation was supported by Environment Canterbury and the Ngāi Tahu sub-groups Papatipu Rūnanga and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ngāi Tahu representation bill passes first reading in Parliament |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300475700/ngi-tahu-representation-bill-passes-first-reading-in-parliament |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=10 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ngāi Tahu representation bill passes first reading in Parliament |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300475700/ngi-tahu-representation-bill-passes-first-reading-in-parliament |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=10 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408023707/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300475700/ngi-tahu-representation-bill-passes-first-reading-in-parliament |archive-date=8 April 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

By 9 February, the Māori Affairs Select Committee had received almost 1,700 submissions regarding the proposed bill. [[Federated Farmers]]' South Canterbury chairman Greg Anderson stated that the Ngāi Tahu representatives should be elected either by the tribe or the general Canterbury population.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kauaeroa |first1=Arielle |title=MPs receive 1700 submissions on bill to entrench Ngāi Tahu seats on Environment Canterbury |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/300512989/mps-receive-1700-submissions-on-bill-to-entrench-ngi-tahu-seats-on-environment-canterbury |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408023704/https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/300512989/mps-receive-1700-submissions-on-bill-to-entrench-ngi-tahu-seats-on-environment-canterbury |archive-date=2022-04-08|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 3 July, the Ngāi Tahu Representation Bill passed its third and final reading. The bill's passage was welcomed by the Labour Party and Ngāi Tahu representatives including [[Tipene O'Regan]] as a means of ensuring Māori representation at the local government level and upholding the partnership aspects of the [[Treaty of Waitangi]]. The opposition National Party vowed to repeal the bill on the grounds that it did not uphold electoral equality for all New Zealanders and did not provide electoral accountability.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Audrey |title=MPs in heated debate as bill gives Ngāi Tahu right to appoint councillors |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mps-in-heated-debate-as-bill-gives-ngai-tahu-right-to-appoint-councillors/MO2FU2MIFMBMXGMLQGDYDNB6OM/ |access-date=4 August 2022 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=3 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803102317/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mps-in-heated-debate-as-bill-gives-ngai-tahu-right-to-appoint-councillors/MO2FU2MIFMBMXGMLQGDYDNB6OM/ |archive-date=3 August 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

== 2024 law change ==
{{Main|Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024}}
[[File:Simeon Brown (cropped).png|left|200px|thumb|National MP and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown reinstated the poll requirements for Māori wards and constituencies.]]
In late November 2023, the [[Sixth National Government of New Zealand|Sixth National Government]] pledged to "restore the right of local referendum on the establishment or ongoing use of Māori wards."<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />

In early April 2024, the [[Minister of Local Government (New Zealand)|Local Government Minister]] [[Simeon Brown]] announced that local and regional councils which introduced Māori wards without polling residents would have to hold referendums during the 2025 local elections or dissolve the wards they had established prior to the 2025 local elections. Brown also announced that the government would introduce legislation restoring the right to referendums on Māori wards by the end of July 2024. The [[Wairoa District Council|Wairoa District]], [[Waikato Region]] and [[Bay of Plenty Regional Council]]s are unaffected by the Government declaration since they introduced Māori wards before the removal of poll requirements. The [[Opotiki District]]'s Māori wards are not affected by the ruling since they held a poll during the [[2022 New Zealand local elections]] that found majority support for wards. The [[Tauranga City Council]], which had been under the management of commissioners since 2020, held [[2024 Tauranga local elections|elections]] in July 2024. Tauranga has the option of reversing its decision to establish Māori wards or holding a poll during the 2024–2028 term, with the outcome taking effect after the 2028 local elections.<ref>{{cite news |title=Maori wards ultimatum for councils as coalition government imposes referendums |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/513401/maori-wards-ultimatum-for-councils-as-coalition-government-imposes-referendums |access-date=6 April 2024 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405073507/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/513401/maori-wards-ultimatum-for-councils-as-coalition-government-imposes-referendums |archive-date=5 April 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

Councils affected by the Government's new polling requirement include the [[Stratford District Council]], where councillors had voted to introduce a Māori ward during the 2022 local elections without holding a poll.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hanne |first1=Ilona |title=Stratford District Council Long Term Plan: Future of Māori ward hot topic at marae meeting |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/stratford-press/news/stratford-district-council-long-term-plan-future-of-maori-ward-hot-topic-at-marae-meeting/EGZRAGGYEJEVRCP56Y4XCBFZ6M/ |access-date=28 April 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=25 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425063845/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/stratford-press/news/stratford-district-council-long-term-plan-future-of-maori-ward-hot-topic-at-marae-meeting/EGZRAGGYEJEVRCP56Y4XCBFZ6M/ |archive-date=25 April 2024}}</ref> In mid-May 2024, 54 mayors and regional council chairpersons including [[Local Government New Zealand]] (LGNZ) President and [[Mayor of Selwyn]] Sam Broughton, [[Mayor of Palmerston North]] Grant Smith, [[Mayor of Central Otago]] Tim Cadogan, [[Mayor of Wellington]] [[Tory Whanau]] and [[Mayor of Dunedin]] [[Jules Radich]] issued a joint letter criticising the Government's proposed law change requiring local councils to hold referendums on having Māori wards and constituencies, describing it as "an overreach on local decision-making."<ref>{{cite web |title=Letter from LGNZ Mayors and |url=https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/documents/Letter_from_LGNZ_Mayors_and_Chairs_on_M%C4%81ori_wards_and_constituencies_imWffL9.pdf |publisher=[[local Government New Zealand]] |access-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613103030/https://d1pepq1a2249p5.cloudfront.net/media/documents/Letter_from_LGNZ_Mayors_and_Chairs_on_M%C4%81ori_wards_and_constituencies_imWffL9.pdf |archive-date=13 June 2024 |date=22 May 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> In response, Brown along with [[New Zealand First]] leader [[Winston Peters]] and [[ACT New Zealand|ACT Party]] [[David Seymour]] defended the proposed legislation as a restoration of democracy and said that New Zealanders had voted for change during the [[2023 New Zealand general election]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Exclusive: Over 50 mayors, chairs critical of Govt's Māori ward changes |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/05/22/exclusive-over-50-mayors-chairs-critical-of-govts-maori-ward-changes/ |access-date=26 May 2024 |work=[[1News]] |date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524231115/https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/05/22/exclusive-over-50-mayors-chairs-critical-of-govts-maori-ward-changes/ |archive-date=24 May 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 30 July 2024, the Government passed the [[Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024]], which "restored the right of local referendum on the establishment or ongoing use of Māori wards." While National, ACT and NZ First supported the bill as part of their coalition agreements, it was opposed by the Labour, Green, and Māori parties. During the third reading, the Local Government Minister Brown said that the Government was supporting local democracy by giving local communities the right to decide whether to establish Māori wards in their communities. By contrast, Labour leader [[Chris Hipkins]] accused the Government of discriminating against Māori and promoting division. Similarly, Te Pāti Māori MP [[Mariameno Kapa-Kingi]] described the law change as an attack on the Treaty of Waitangi and an attempt to silence Māori.<ref name="RNZ 30 Jul 2024" /><ref name="NZH 30 Jul 2024" />

Under the National-led government's 2024 law change the 45 local councils, which had established Māori wards following the 2021 law change abolishing binding referendums on Māori wards, were required to decide whether to drop their Māori wards or hold a binding poll on them at the [[2025 New Zealand local elections]] by 6 September 2024. If councils chose to keep their Māori wards, they would have to fund the referendums themselves. By the deadline of 6 September, all local councils with Māori wards except the [[Kaipara District Council]] and [[Upper Hutt City Council]] had voted to retain their Māori wards subject to binding polls.<ref name="1 News 6 Sep 2024">{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Anna |title=Māori wards deadline: Most councils stand firm, express frustration |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/09/06/maori-wards-deadline-most-councils-stand-firm-express-frustration/ |access-date=7 September 2024 |work=[[1News]] |date=6 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906175350/https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/09/06/maori-wards-deadline-most-councils-stand-firm-express-frustration/ |archive-date=6 September 2024}}</ref> The Kaipara District Council voted to disestablish its Māori ward, which had been introduced during the [[2022 New Zealand local elections]], without holding a binding poll. Councillor Pera Paniora will continue serving as Māori ward councillor until 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Botting |first1=Susan |title=Kaipara District Council votes to disestablish Māori ward |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/protestors-disrupt-kaipara-council-meeting-councillor-pera-paniora-warned-she-would-be-removed/ADQZ3FAQ4JEGPMUSEEAGT4PVPM/ |access-date=7 August 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=7 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807023351/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/protestors-disrupt-kaipara-council-meeting-councillor-pera-paniora-warned-she-would-be-removed/ADQZ3FAQ4JEGPMUSEEAGT4PVPM/ |archive-date=7 August 2024}}</ref> The Kaipara Council's disestablishment of its Māori ward was subject of a legal challenge in the [[High Court of New Zealand|Auckland High Court]] mounted by [[Ngāti Whātua]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Xia |first1=Lucy |title=Ngāti Whātua challenges Kaipara District Council over decision to abolish Māori ward |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/527719/ngati-whatua-challenges-kaipara-district-council-over-decision-to-abolish-maori-ward |access-date=14 September 2024 |work=[[RNZ]] |date=11 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911180127/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/527719/ngati-whatua-challenges-kaipara-district-council-over-decision-to-abolish-maori-ward |archive-date=11 September 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> Meanwhile, the Upper Hutt Council rescinded its 2023 decision to establish at least one Māori ward for the 2025 and 2028 local elections.<ref name="ODT 30 Aug 2024">{{cite news |title=Wave of support for Māori seats |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/wave-support-m%C4%81ori-seats |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=30 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830114146/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/wave-support-m%C4%81ori-seats |archive-date=30 August 2024}}</ref>

Several councils including the [[Palmerston North City Council]] (PNCC), [[Whakatāne District Council|Whakatāne]], [[Ruapehu District Council|Ruapehu]], [[South Taranaki District Council|South Taranaki]], [[Gisborne District Council|Gisborne]] and [[Far North District Council]]s also endorsed motions to explore legal options to avoid holding binding polls on their Māori wards.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Natasha |title=Māori Wards: Act blasts Palmerston North City Council move to keep Māori seats without referendum |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/maori-wards-act-blasts-palmerston-north-city-council-move-to-keep-maori-seats-without-referendum/HIPMSPOBORAV7BLRXEDMUT47YY/ |access-date=9 August 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808064802/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/maori-wards-act-blasts-palmerston-north-city-council-move-to-keep-maori-seats-without-referendum/HIPMSPOBORAV7BLRXEDMUT47YY/ |archive-date=8 August 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=McCarthy |first1=Diane |title=Whakatāne council to seek legal advice on refusing Māori wards poll |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/525333/whakatane-council-to-seek-legal-advice-on-refusing-maori-wards-poll |access-date=7 September 2024 |work=[[RNZ]] |date=16 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905210611/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/525333/whakatane-council-to-seek-legal-advice-on-refusing-maori-wards-poll |archive-date=5 September 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ellis |first1=Moana |title=Local Government Minister Simeon Brown rejects call for exemption over Māori ward poll |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/local-government-minister-simeon-brown-rejects-call-for-exemption-over-maori-ward-poll/6R72FVWIG5GXFMSTVMZYTUAL4U/ |access-date=22 August 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=20 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820072232/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/local-government-minister-simeon-brown-rejects-call-for-exemption-over-maori-ward-poll/6R72FVWIG5GXFMSTVMZYTUAL4U/ |archive-date=20 August 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=de Graaf |first1=Peter |title=Far North District councillors vote unanimously to retain their Māori ward following impassioned meeting |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/527257/far-north-district-councillors-vote-unanimously-to-retain-their-maori-ward-following-impassioned-meeting |access-date=7 September 2024 |work=[[RNZ]] |date=6 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906064647/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/527257/far-north-district-councillors-vote-unanimously-to-retain-their-maori-ward-following-impassioned-meeting |archive-date=6 September 2024}}</ref> During the annual LGNZ conference held on 21 August 2024, the PNCC and Far North District Council submitted a remit challenging the Government's poll requirement for Māori wards. In addition, the [[Northland Regional Council]] introduced a remit calling for a 75% majority vote for any changes to the Local Election Act affecting Māori wards.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Botting |first1=Susan |title=Local councils to vote on challenge to Māori ward polling rule in Wellington today |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/local-councils-to-vote-on-challenge-to-maori-ward-polling-rule-in-wellington-today/IZRO3MA5RJH7XO7OK4G27FKH4M/ |access-date=22 August 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=21 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821224406/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/local-councils-to-vote-on-challenge-to-maori-ward-polling-rule-in-wellington-today/IZRO3MA5RJH7XO7OK4G27FKH4M/ |archive-date=21 August 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the ''[[Otago Daily Times]]'', 83.5% of local councils at the LGNZ conference supported the remit opposing the poll requirement for Māori wards and constituencies. In response, Minister Brown defended the Government's Māori ward polls requirement.<ref name="ODT 30 Aug 2024" />

== Councils with Māori wards or constituencies ==
[[File:2025 Māori wards referenda status map.svg|right|300px|thumb|Map of local and regional councils with Māori wards following the 2024 law change]]
=== Territorial authorities ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Name
!Has Māori wards
!First election
!Referendums
!Context
|-
|[[Far North District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Whangārei District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Kaipara District Council]]
|No
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|
|Disestablished in 2024 prior to poll.<ref name="1 News 6 Sep 2024" />
|-
|[[Auckland Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Thames-Coromandel District Council]]
|Yes
|2025<ref name=":8" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Hauraki District Council]]
|Yes
|2025<ref name=":7" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Waikato District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Matamata-Piako District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Hamilton City Council (New Zealand)|Hamilton City Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Waipā District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Ōtorohanga District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[South Waikato District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Waitomo District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Taupō District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Western Bay of Plenty District Council]]
|Yes
|2025<ref name=":6" />
|2018: {{Cross}}21%/'''78%'''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-19 |title=Poll result goes against establishment of Māori wards - Western Bay of Plenty District Council |url=https://www.westernbay.govt.nz/council/news-and-updates/news?item=id:25ts7cy5b1cxbydxk9hp |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=www.westernbay.govt.nz |language=en-nz}}</ref>
[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Tauranga City Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|
|Referendum must be held by 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transitional options for Tauranga City Council – to take effect at 2028 elections |url=https://www.marlborough.govt.nz/repository/libraries/id:2ifzri1o01cxbymxkvwz/hierarchy/documents/your-council/Flow-chart-of-M%C4%81ori-wards-transitional-arrangements-July-2024.pdf |website=Marlborough District Council}}</ref>
|-
|[[Rotorua District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Whakatāne District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|2018: {{Cross}}44%/'''55%'''<ref name="Mayor gutted" />
[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Kawerau District Council]]
|Yes
|2025<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kawerau District Council's Māori ward decision greeted with strong emotion |url=https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2023/11/25/kawerau-district-councils-maori-ward-decision-greeted-with-strong-emotion/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=Te Ao Māori News |language=en}}</ref>
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Ōpōtiki District Council]]
|Yes
|2025<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verschaffelt |first=Peter |date=2023-12-04 |title=Opotiki opts for Māori wards after poll |url=https://waateanews.com/2023/12/05/opotiki-opts-for-maori-wards-after-poll/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=Waatea News: Māori Radio Station |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
|2022: {{Tick}}'''50.2%'''/49.8% (non-binding)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Election Results 2022 {{!}} Opotiki Information |url=https://www.opotiki.info/news/election-results-2022 |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=www.opotiki.info}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[Gisborne District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Wairoa District Council]]
|Yes
|2019
|2016: {{Tick}}'''54%'''/46%<ref name=":12" />
|
|-
|[[Hastings District Council]]
| Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Napier City Council]]
|Yes
|2025<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharpe |first=Marty |date=2021-10-20 |title=Napier council votes in favour of Māori wards from 2025 |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/126737051/napier-council-votes-in-favour-of-mori-wards-from-2025 |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref>
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Central Hawke's Bay District Council]]
|Yes
|2025
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[New Plymouth District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|2015: {{Cross}}17%/'''83%'''<ref name="New Plymouth No" />
[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Stratford District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[South Taranaki District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Ruapehu District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Whanganui District Council]]
|Yes
|2025<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-24 |title=Whanganui District Council votes for Māori wards |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/500917/whanganui-district-council-votes-for-maori-wards |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref>
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Rangitikei District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Manawatu District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|2018: {{Cross}}22%/'''78%'''<ref name="Manawatu No" />
[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Palmerston North City Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|2018: {{Cross}}32%/'''68%'''<ref name="RNZ 22 May 2018" />
[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Tararua District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Horowhenua District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Kāpiti Coast District Council]]
|Yes
|2025<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-09 |title=Māori ward: Kāpiti Coast District Council votes yes |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kapiti-news/news/kapiti-coast-district-council-backs-maori-ward-before-next-local-body-elections/HZR3BSAGURCQHJLCBTXIJ6JOVM/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Porirua City Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Upper Hutt City Council]]
|No
|
|
|Approved in 2023, rescinded in 2024 before any election.<ref name="1 News 6 Sep 2024" />
|-
|[[Hutt City Council]]
|Yes
|2025<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hutt City Council votes to establish Māori ward |url=https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2023/11/22/hutt-city-council-votes-to-establish-maori-ward/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=Te Ao Māori News |language=en}}</ref>
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Wellington City Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Masterton District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Carterton District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[South Wairarapa District Council]]
|Yes
|2025<ref>{{Cite web |last=Teodoro |first=Local democracy reporter Sue |date=2023-11-22 |title=South Wairarapa votes to establish a Māori ward |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-democracy-reporting/133334844/south-wairarapa-votes-to-establish-a-mori-ward |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref>
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Tasman District Council]]
|Yes
|2025<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hubbard |first=Catherine |date=2023-09-21 |title=Māori ward 'not true partnership' but step in right direction, say iwi |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/132986680/mori-ward-not-true-partnership-but-step-in-right-direction-say-iwi |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref>
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Nelson City Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Marlborough District Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Buller District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Grey District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Westland District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Kaikōura District Council]]
|No
|
|2018: {{Cross}}20%/'''80%'''<ref name="RNZ 22 May 2018" />
|
|-
|[[Hurunui District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Waimakariri District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Christchurch City Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Selwyn District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Ashburton District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Timaru District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Mackenzie District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Waimate District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Chatham Islands#Government|Chatham Islands Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Waitaki District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Central Otago District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Queenstown-Lakes District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Dunedin City Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Clutha District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Southland District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Gore District Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Invercargill City Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|}

=== Regional councils ===
Note: this table excludes the unitary authorities in Auckland, Gisborne, Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough.
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: left;"
! bgcolor="#f2f2f4" align="left" |Regional council
! bgcolor="#f2f2f4" align="left" |Has Māori constituencies?
! bgcolor="#f2f2f4" align="left" |First election
!Referendums
!Context
|-
|[[Northland Regional Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Waikato Regional Council]]
|Yes
|2013<ref name=":11" />
|2011: {{Tick}}Not demanded<ref name=":11" />
|
|-
|[[Bay of Plenty Regional Council]]
|Yes
|2004
|2001: {{Tick}}Not required<ref>{{Cite web |title=Māori constituencies |url=https://www.boprc.govt.nz/your-council/council-and-region/maori-constituencies/ |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=Bay Of Plenty Regional Council |language=en}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[Hawke's Bay Regional Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Taranaki Regional Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Horizons Regional Council]]
|Yes
|2022<ref name=":1" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[Greater Wellington Regional Council]]
|Yes
|2025<ref name=":9" />
|[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies|2025]]:{{No change}}Pending
|
|-
|[[West Coast Region|West Coast Regional Council]]
|No
|
|
|Representation for the Ngāi Tahu iwi is affirmed through local legislation.
|-
|[[Environment Canterbury]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Otago Regional Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|-
|[[Southland Regional Council]]
|No
|
|
|
|}

==Public opinion==
In mid June 2024, a [[New Zealand Taxpayers' Union]]–Curia poll found that a majority of New Zealanders (58%) believed that local voters rather than local mayors and councillors should decide on the introduction or disestablishment of Māori wards. By contrast, 23% believed that the decision should be left to local mayors and councillors while 19% were undecided.<ref>{{cite web |title=NEW POLL: Strong support across all demographics for Māori Wards to be decided by local referenda |url=https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/poll_support_across_all_for_mori_wards_to_be_decided_by_local |publisher=[[New Zealand Taxpayers' Union]] |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808082902/https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/poll_support_across_all_for_mori_wards_to_be_decided_by_local |archive-date=8 August 2024 |date=24 June 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[2025 New Zealand local referendums on Māori wards and constituencies]]

==Notes and references==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Wikidata-inline}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maori wards and constituencies}}
[[Category:Local government in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Māori politics]]
[[Category:Politics of New Zealand]]