Māori wards referendums 2025

The story so far

Voters in Masterton, South Wairarapa and Greater Wellington took part in binding polls on whether to keep or remove their council Māori wards.^{17 Sep 2025} Referendums in October produced votes to remove Māori wards in several districts, including Napier, Hastings, Central Hawke's Bay and the regional council in Hawke's Bay, and Marlborough, where removal takes effect in 2028.^{11 Oct 2025} Taranaki voters also chose to remove Māori seats from all council tables, with the preliminary result not close.^{12 Oct 2025} Preliminary results from the 2025 local polls showed 24 districts voting to scrap Māori wards and 18 choosing to keep them, while Hamilton's ward appeared likely to stay.^{14 Oct 2025} In Rotorua, Trevor Maxwell was re-elected to the Māori ward, which remains intact there, and he may become New Zealand's longest-serving councillor.^{11 Oct 2025}

Latest

The Tararua council has voted to scrap its Māori ward once the current term ends.^{18 Oct 2025}

What's next

The Tararua District Council's Māori ward will be scrapped after this term ends.^{18 Oct 2025} Marlborough's Māori ward seat is due to be removed in 2028.^{11 Oct 2025}

Key moments

1. 17 Sep 2025Binding polls held in Masterton, South Wairarapa and Greater Wellington on Māori wards
2. 11 Oct 2025Napier, Hastings, Central Hawke's Bay and regional council vote to remove Māori wards
3. 11 Oct 2025Trevor Maxwell re-elected in Rotorua, possibly making him longest-serving councillor
4. 12 Oct 2025Taranaki voters choose to remove Māori seats from all council tables
5. 14 Oct 2025Preliminary results: 24 districts scrap Māori wards, 18 keep them

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.