Horowhenua (Māori) Ward

A recent change to legislation about Māori wards in local government means that Horowhenua District Council has to make a decision at its meeting on 4 September 2024 to either:

• not have a Horowhenua (Māori) Ward at the 2025 Local Body Election; or
• keep the Horowhenua (Māori) Ward and have a binding referendum as part of the 2025 Local Body Election.

We're seeking your input prior to Council making a decision on Wednesday 4 September 2024.

If Council decides not to have a Horowhenua (Māori) Ward

If Council decides on 4 September not to have (disestablish) the Horowhenua (Māori) Ward at the 2025 local election, the Horowhenua (Māori) Ward will not be part of the 2025 Local Body Election. This will be a decision of Council.

If Council votes to disestablish its current Horowhenua (Māori) Ward, its next opportunity to consider whether or not to have a Māori Ward will be prior to the 2031 local election.

If Council decides to keep the Horowhenua (Māori) Ward

If Council decides on 4 September to keep the Horowhenua (Māori) Ward, there'll be a binding referendum at the 2025 local election on whether or not the Horowhenua District should have a Māori Ward. This will be a decision of the voters that Council must implement.

If Council goes to a referendum and the Horowhenua (Māori) Ward is retained, it will be in place for both the 2028 and 2031 Local Elections.

If the referendum removes the Horowhenua (Māori) Ward it must not be part of the 2028 or 2031 elections. The next opportunity for Councils to consider establishing or disestablishing Māori wards will be ahead of the 2034 local election.

If the Horowhenua (Māori) Ward is disestablished

If the Horowhenua (Māori) Ward is disestablished, Horowhenua District Council will need to undertake a shortened representation review.

This is because Council cannot revert to its 2019 electoral ward boundaries because a growth in population and changes in population distribution means the 2019 wards are no longer compliant with the +/-10% rule for the number of constituents per councillor.

Background

In 2020/2021, Horowhenua District Council resolved unanimously to establish Māori wards. Up until then, there were three councils with Māori wards or constituencies but as at 2022, there were 35 across the motu. The ability to successfully achieve this was due to a change in legislation which removed the poll provision that could overturn council resolutions to establish Māori wards/constituencies.

Legal framework

*The Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024 was passed on 30 July 2024.

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

*Source - dia.govt.nz/maori-wards

Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024