Stand for the Māori ward

For the first time at this election, 32 councils around the country have Māori wards or constituencies, in addition to 3 councils that already had them.

In the Wellington region, Wellington City, Porirua, and Masterton are the only councils that have a Māori ward.  

While most wards are based on a geographic area, the people voting in the Māori ward will be those on the Māori electoral roll. Voters will be represented by one councillor.

Having a Māori ward councillor is not the only way that Council involves Māori in decision-making. We also have mana whenua representatives on most Council committees and have recently agreed the Tūpiki Ora Māori Strategy.  

You can stand for Council if you are a New Zealand citizen, aged over 18, and enrolled to vote. You don’t need to be of Māori descent or enrolled on the Māori roll to stand for the Māori ward, and you don’t need to live in Wellington city.  

Nominations close at noon on 12 August, so get in quick!

Find out more on how to stand on our website.