Districts vote on Māori wards in 2025 local referendums

Tuesday 14 October 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Tue 14 Oct 2025, 7:10pm

In this story Horizons Regional Council

Preliminary results from the 2025 local polls show 24 districts voted to scrap Māori wards, while 18 chose to keep them. Some Māori councillors expressed confusion over the outcome, though Hamilton's Māori ward appears likely to remain.

How they headlined it

5:25pm7:10pm

1. RNZTue 14 Oct 2025, 5:25pm

   Māori councillors take stock of Māori ward referendum results (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldTue 14 Oct 2025, 7:10pm

   Māori wards: 24 districts vote to scrap, 18 choose to keep in 2025 polls (opens in new tab)