Representation Review 2024

Final Proposal approved and Māori Ward confirmed for 2025

Hauraki District Representation Review

Today, Wednesday 28 August, Council confirmed that the Final Proposal for the makeup of Council for the 2025 Triennial election received no objections. The next step is to advertise the representation arrangement for the 2025 local government election

Council also affirmed their decision to establish a Māori Ward with two new Councillors.

This means that in October 2025...

People on the General Roll can only vote for candidates in their Ward and the Mayor:

• Waihī Ward - 4 Councillors
• Paeroa Ward - 3 Councillors
• Plains Ward - 4 Councillors

People on the Māori Roll can only vote for candidates in the Māori Ward and the Mayor:

• Māori Ward - 2 Councillors

Binding Poll at 2025 Local Elections for future of Māori Wards

• Everyone will vote in the binding poll on the future of Māori Wards for the 2028 and 2031 Local Government Elections.

Here's how it works

• People must be on the Māori Roll to vote for the Māori Ward candidates.
• Everyone gets one vote for the Mayor.
• Candidates standing for election cannot stand for the Te Pakikau o te Ika Māori Ward and a General Ward at the same time.

The Future of Māori Wards

Central Government require, for Councils that didn't rescind their Māori Ward decision, to hold a binding poll at the same time as the 2025 Local Government Elections on the future of Māori Wards.

The result on that poll will determine the future of Māori Wards for the 2028 and 2031 Local Government elections.

If the referendum is in favour of continuing with Māori Wards, there'll be no change, but if it is against, we'll be required to hold another Representation Review leading up to the 2028 local government elections.

Whakapapa | Background

Representation Review - what is it?

The Local Electoral Act 2001 s19H requires local authorities to undertake a review of their representation arrangements at least once every six years. The Council carried out its last review in 2018 (for the 2019 and 2022 triennial elections) and is therefore required to undertake another review this year, for the 2025 and 2028 triennial elections. The Review is an opportunity to look at the number of elected members; ward boundaries and names and/or to consider community boards.