Māori Ward Advocacy
This year, local body elections will be held from 9 September to 11 October 2025. This means that in 42 regions of New Zealand, people will have the chance to vote on whether to keep Māori wards in their local or regional councils. These referendums are required by government and will take place alongside local council elections.
The Salvation Army has supported moves by councils over the years to introduce Māori wards. We believe this is a positive step to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi by increasing representation of Māori at local body level. This work is a response to the ongoing social injustice that Māori experience through marginalisation in democratic and political decision making, including at local authority level.
Watch the submission (starts at 2h33m)
Take action – decision time 9th September 2025
Out of New Zealand’s 78 local and regional councils, 42 are holding public polls in the local body elections to decide whether to keep their Māori wards.
Voting to keep the Māori wards aligns with our Salvation Army mission to ‘care for people, transform lives and reform society by God’s power and to uphold the dignity of all people, honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and express Christ’s love by standing for equity, inclusion, and community belonging.
Whānau and community voices are integral to shaping our communities, so we urge you to encourage whānau and community to enrol, vote and be heard.
Māori Ward Referendum Resources
Thanks to our allies at Common Grace Aotearoa, we’re excited to share a range of resources to help you get involved, stay informed, and support Māori wards in your rohe. Whether you’re hosting kōrero, sharing info with your networks, or just starting to learn, there’s something here for everyone.
Access the explainer video, sign up to receive the Table Talk resource or learn more about what’s involved at: commongrace.nz/maoriwards
Key points to remember:
- Voting begins 9 September 2025 – 11 October 2025
- Visit Vote.nz is your go to for enrolment, resources, and key dates
- Māori can switch rolls between the Māori or general role until 10 July 2025
- If not yet enrolled, Māori can enrol and choose a roll up to 10 October, but enrolling before 1 August is best to receive voting papers by post
- Māori on the Māori roll can vote for Māori ward/constituency candidates, local/community boards (if applicable), and the Mayor.
Find out if your council is affected
See also the commentary by Kassie Hartendorp, Director of Action Station: Going Backwards on Māori wards
RNZ – Controversial law spurs wave of support for Māori seats, triggers mass polls
Things to do:
Write to your Mayor and councillors asking them to continue to support Māori wards in their area.
Sign up to support Te Runanga and SPPU with further action in the coming months on this issue
Photo: Envoy Anihera Carroll and Richard Kerr-Bell from Te Rūnanga o Te Ope Whakaora with former SPPU Director Lt-Colonel Ian Hutson