Frequently asked questions

We’ve collated some of the most common questions, with responses from reputable sources.

If you have a question that isn’t answered here, get in touch!

What are Māori wards and why do we have them?

Who can vote for Māori ward candidates?

Do people on the Māori roll get more votes than those on the general roll?

Do Māori Ward councillors only represent Māori?

Would ratepayers save money if we removed our Māori ward?

When did Kāpiti establish our Māori ward?

Why does this election include a binding poll on whether we can keep our Māori ward?

Who can take part in the binding poll?

When will the results of the binding poll come into effect?

How can we take part in the binding poll?

What are Māori wards and why do we have them?

Māori wards and constituencies* in local government are like Māori electorates in central government. Māori have been significantly under-represented in local government for a long time, so many local councils have created Māori wards to enhance Māori representation and participation in decision-making.

*District councils have wards, and regional councils have constituencies. The Kāpiti Coast District Council has a Māori ward, and the Greater Wellington Regional Council has a Māori constituency.

Who can vote for Māori ward candidates?

A Māori ward is a seat on local council that only people who are of New Zealand Māori descent and have chosen to enrol on the Māori electoral roll can vote for. Currently around 2,780 people are on the Māori roll in the Kāpiti Coast District Council area.

All voters will be voting on whether we can keep this important aspect of our local democracy this local body election.

Do people on the Māori roll get more votes than those on the general roll?

No. Everyone has the same number of votes, whether you are on the Māori roll or the general roll. Each person can vote for:

Kapiti Coast District Council

the mayor
the districtwide councillors
either the Māori ward councillors if you are on the Māori roll or the local general ward councillors if you are on the general roll
your local community board members.

Greater Wellington Regional Council

either the Māori constituency councillors if you are on the Māori roll or the general constituency councillors if you are on the general roll.

The law requires local bodies to complete a representation review every six years or less, and includes a formula to ensure that the wards are the right size to provide fair representation for the people on both electoral rolls.

Some people can vote in more than one council area, if they pay rates on properties in different areas – but this is unrelated to which roll you are on.

Do Māori Ward councillors only represent Māori?

No. All elected members swear an oath of office to represent the entire community.

Would ratepayers save money if we removed our Māori ward?

No. The Remuneration Authority sets remuneration for local government authorities. That pool of money would not decrease if we had less councillors.

When did Kāpiti establish our Māori ward?

After extensive community consultation, Kāpiti Coast District Council decided to establish our Māori ward in 2023 and reaffirmed this decision in 2024. This October’s local body election will elect our first Māori ward councillor.

Why does this election include a binding poll on whether we can keep our Māori ward?

In 2024, central government amended the Local Electoral Act 2001, requiring all councils with Māori Wards or constituencies to hold a binding poll* in 2025, unless one has already been held.

*People are also calling it a referendum. Officially, central government has referendums and local government has binding polls.

Who can take part in the binding poll?

Everyone who’s eligible to vote in the local elections can vote in the poll, whether you are on the Māori roll or the general roll.

When will the results of the binding poll come into effect?

The binding poll will decide whether we can elect a new Māori ward councillor in the next local body elections in 2028.

If Kāpiti decided to NOT keep Māori wards, we can not vote on the issue again until 2034. This is too important to get wrong.

How can we take part in the binding poll?

Check that your enrolment details are up to date at https://vote.nz/enrolling/enrol-or-update/enrol-or-update-online/

If they are, you will receive your voting papers in the mail by 22 September, and you can return your vote by post or to your local library by 7 October. You can still hand-deliver your vote until midday 11 October.

If you aren’t enrolled or your address details are out of date, you can enrol online and then contact the Council to arrange to cast a special vote – 0800 922 822 / Council offices in Paraparaumu / Ōtaki Library.