Māori wards are seats on local councils that make sure Māori voices are heard.
In the 2025 local election, you will be asked whether we should keep a Māori Ward on Kāpiti Coast District Council.
Māori wards were set up because Māori weren’t being represented in local decision-making.
Māori wards guarantee Māori are at the table and work for the good of the whole community.
On the Kāpiti Coast District Council, there is only one Māori Ward seat.
When you vote this year, vote to keep Māori wards.
What are Māori wards?
Māori wards are seats that guarantee that Māori voices are represented at local council level. It ensures that the indigenous voices of this country are represented within our local democracy. Māori wards are one way that we can be certain there is space at the table for that voice.
It is important to understand that there are also other kinds of wards on councils too – such as rural wards. Rural wards ensure a rural voice is represented in communities where rural perspectives are needed at the table.
Only Māori wards are being challenged this local body election, with the government requiring all local elections to conduct a binding poll on keeping Māori wards.
Across Aotearoa New Zealand, Māori wards have proven themselves to be good for the whole community’s wellbeing.
Vote to keep Māori wards.
Why have Māori wards?
Māori Wards help us work towards:
1. Lasting decisions
Māori wards bring grounded long-term thinking, helping us make lasting decisions that support the community now and into the future.
2. Connected communities
Māori wards help build trust and connection between council, communities and local Māori. This has positive practical impacts – like better connected community responses to emergencies.
3. Stronger partnerships
It shows that the Council, and community, respect Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership with Māori.
4.Care for people + planet
Māori wards support leadership grounded in care — for people, for whenua and future generations.
What can I do?
Talk with your friends and family about the importance of voting in the local election.
Keep an eye on your letterbox for your votings papers, and vote by 11th October. There are no polling stations.
Share resources, images and information from this website on your social media and join us on facebook.
Volunteer to help spread this message!
Join the Embracing Te Tiriti Kāpiti movement!
Get connected with a wonderful group of people committed to Te Tiriti justice on the Kāpiti Coast!
How to vote
This year’s local body elections will take place from 9 September to 11 October.
If you are enrolled to vote in your local election, you will receive your voting papers in the mail, which will include both the referendum and candidate selection. Simply fill out your papers and follow the instructions to return them to your council.
If you are not enrolled by 1 August, you can vote by casting a ‘special vote.’ Find out from the Kāpiti Coast District Council website about how to make a special vote.
If you live overseas, enrol early with an overseas postal address in order to receive your voting papers by mail.
Visit VoteLocal for more information about voting.
Join us on facebook!
Did you know?
Māori seats in Parliament have been around since 1867.
Powers to establish local Māori seats were given to councils in 2001.
Kāpiti established one Māori seat in 2023, there are 11 other councillor seats.
If we do not vote to keep this seat, we can not vote on the issue again until 2034.
42 out of 45 councils that have recently established Māori wards have voted to retain them.
Updates from the ground!
Embracing Te Tiriti Kāpiti 