Newsletter
Māori Wards & Local Elections 2025 – What You Need to Know
June 24, 2025
This year’s local body elections, running from 9 September to 11 October 2025, are a defining moment for our whānau and communities across Aotearoa.
Voters in 42 local and regional councils will decide whether to keep or remove Māori wards. The outcome will shape the future of Māori representation in local government and impact how Māori voices influence decisions about their communities, whenua, and wellbeing.
The Salvation Army Te Ope Whakaora recognises the introduction of Māori wards as a way to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and address the ongoing social injustices and marginalisation of Māori in local decision-making.
We encourage all our whānau and communities to enrol, vote and be heard. Your voices are integral to shaping our communities!
Check out key dates below and make your plan to vote:
Key Voting Info for 2025 Local Elections
- Voting begins 9 September 2025 – 11 October 2025
- Visit vote.nz for enrolment, resources, and key dates
- Māori on the Māori roll can vote for Māori ward/constituency candidates, local/community boards (if applicable), and the Mayor
- If your council doesn’t have a Māori ward, you vote in the general ward instead
- Most councils use FPP (First Past the Post); some (like Wellington City) use STV (Single Transferable Vote)
Enrolment & Roll Switching
- Māori can switch rolls until 10 July 2025
- Enrol before 1 August to receive voting papers by post
- If not yet enrolled, Māori can enrol and choose a roll up to 10 October
- Online enrolment requires a NZ driver licence, passport, or RealMe
Choosing a Roll: What to Know
- Māori voters must choose between voting in a Māori ward (if available) or a general ward
- Māori ward candidates don’t have to be Māori, but they are elected by those on the Māori roll