Māori Ward Referendum
As part of the 2025 local government elections, the Manawatū District Council held a binding referendum on the future of its Māori ward (Ngā Tapuae o Mātangi).
Everyone enrolled in the Manawatū District, whether on the general roll or Māori roll, was eligible to vote in the referendum.
Voters were asked:
- Whether the Council should keep or remove the Māori Ward.
- Whether Horizons Regional Council should keep or remove their two Māori Constituencies.
Regional councils have constituencies, while city and district councils have wards.
Why was there a referendum?
In 2024, the Government amended the Local Electoral Act 2001, requiring councils with Māori wards or constituencies to hold a binding referendum in 2025, unless one had already been held.
- Note: This referendum did not affect the 2025 election. The Council elected in October 2025 included a Māori ward councillor. The outcome of the referendum determined that the Māori ward will not continue in the 2028 elections and beyond.
The referendum was held alongside the 2025 local elections. Voting papers were delivered from 9 September 2025, and voting closed at 12 noon on 11 October 2025.
What happened after the referendum?
The result of the referendum was:
- Remove the Māori Ward: 5,380 (56.67%)
- Keep the Māori Ward: 4,114 (43.33%).
The result was binding. This means that it will be disestablished for the 2028 election wards.
History of Ngā Tapuae o Mātangi Māori Ward
Visit the following link for information about our previous Māori Ward and Representation Review: 2022 Māori Ward & Representation Review | Manawatū District Council
Information and Candidate Profiles Booklet
The booklet is sent out with voting papers and is designed to reflect the voting documents electors receive. In this year’s election, both the Mayoral and Ngā Tapuae o Mātangi Māori Ward elections were uncontested. Under national electoral practice, profiles for uncontested candidates are not included in the booklet.
The Māori Ward candidate was elected unopposed, which means there was no election for that position. The booklet is designed to mirror the voting papers, and when there is no election, no profile appears.
The Mayoral election was also uncontested, so the Mayor was elected unopposed. Just like the Māori Ward, because there was no election, the Mayor’s profile does not appear in the booklet.
No. This is not a mistake, nor a Council decision. This is the standard national practice that has been in place since 2001, and applies whenever elections are uncontested.
No. Manawatū District Council has taken great care to remain neutral on the Māori ward referendum. The absence of the Māori Ward candidate’s profile is simply because the election was uncontested, not because of any position taken by Council.
Yes. This election, twenty other councils using the same electoral services provider also have uncontested candidates who do not appear in their booklets.
Yes. The law does not require uncontested candidates to be included in the profile booklet, but the local government sector may wish to consider this for future elections.
Details about all candidates, including those elected unopposed, are available on Council’s website.
Further information
For more on the elections and the referendum, including voting information, see the Elections page. The VoteLocal website also includes information on Māori ward/constituency referendums across the country: About Māori wards and constituencies - Vote 25 | Pōti 25
If you have questions about the referendum, please contact:
Ash Garstang
Deputy Electoral Officer
06 323 0000
ash.garstang@mdc.govt.nz