Voting papers are already being delivered in Hamilton and many would have already received these by now.
The pack contains all you need to know about voting in this year’s election, including process, instructions, candidate profiles and the Maaori Ward poll.
This year, the binding Hamilton City Council Maaori Ward Poll is also taking place alongside the Hamilton City Council election for our Mayor, 14 council seats (East & West Wards) and 4 Waikato Regional Council seats.
This binding poll is in line with new Government legislation and is compulsory for most councils in New Zealand. Its purpose is to enable communities to decide whether they want Maaori wards.
The voting paper contains a simple, binding poll question:
- ‘I vote to keep Maaori wards’, or
- ‘I vote to REMOVE Maaori wards’
Just tick the box next to your answer and return your voting paper.
Voting ‘yes’ will mean you support Maaori Wards and constituencies in your community. Voting ‘no’ will mean you do not support Maaori wards and constituencies in your community.
For those who are not fully aware, Maaori wards in local government are the same as Maaori seats in central government. Their purpose is to provide specific democratic representation for Maaori who otherwise may not have a voice in decision-making. Only those on the Maaori electoral roll can vote for candidates standing in the Maaori wards, and only those on the General role can vote for candidates standing for general wards. Everyone, however, votes for the Mayor.
Hamilton’s Maaori Ward was established after community engagement in 2021 to bring dedicated representation by Maaori to the full Council table.
Under new legislation introduced (the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024) in 2024, Hamilton City Council had two options in relation to its Maaori Ward.
At that time, Hamilton City Council (and other group of councils) were required to decide by 6 September 2024 whether to abolish/dissolve the Maaori Wards as of 2025, or hold a binding poll about their future that would take effect from 2028.
The poll is a result of a government decision to reverse the changes made to the Local Electoral Act in 2018 which removed mandatory polls.
Hamilton City Council voted on 29 August 2024 to retain the Maaori Ward and hold a binding poll on the issue in 2025.
If Council had decided to disestablish the Maaori Ward, Hamilton would have been required to either revert to the 2019 representation arrangements or immediately complete a shortened representation review.
Council gave Hamiltonians the opportunity to have their say on the future of the ward in a binding poll to be held alongside the 2025 local body election.
The referendum time has come now for the community to have their say about the future of Maaori Wards and your decision will shape the 2028 Hamilton City Council Election.
The result of the poll will become final at the 2028 Hamilton City Council election.
Voting for the election, including for the Maaori Ward is already underway, having started on 09 September, and you have until midday on 11 October 2025 to cast your vote.
