Let’s Kōrero about a South Wairarapa Māori ward
Māori wards are one part of a representation review and look at the best ways to represent our Māori Community. Our other communities in South Wairarapa are Martinborough, Featherston and Greytown and they are represented through our General Wards. Click here for full details of our representation review.
What are General wards?
General Wards are areas of a city or a district identified for electoral purposes. They work in the same way as seats in a general election. In the South Wairarapa we currently have three wards, Featherston, Martinborough and Greytown.
People can only vote for candidates in their ward, but everyone gets to vote for Councillors “at large” and who they want as Mayor. Although candidates stand for their ward area, when voted on to Council, Councillors swear an oath to work for the district as a whole.
What are Māori wards?
Based on our Māori Electoral Roll, South Wairarapa District Council is eligible to have one Māori ward across the entire South Wairarapa District.
Māori wards sit alongside general wards in a city or a district. They allow voters on the Māori roll to elect a representative to their local Council.
Māori wards work in a similar way to Māori seats in Parliament.
The aim of Māori wards is to make sure Māori are represented in local government decision making. This is important to us because Māori are a group of people who share identity, common interests, a shared history of South Wairarapa and share services through Marae.
Who can vote in the Māori wards?
People enrolled on the Māori electoral roll can only vote for candidates standing in their Māori ward. They can also vote for “at large” councillors and the Mayor.
Who can stand for election in a Māori ward?
To be eligible to stand for election, a candidate must be:
- A New Zealand citizen (by birth or citizenship ceremony)
- Enrolled as a Parliamentary elector (anywhere in New Zealand); and
- Nominated by two electors whose names appear on the Māori electoral roll within the ward a candidate is standing for. Candidates in Māori wards do not need to be of Māori descent, but they do need to be on the parliamentary electoral roll.
Have your say
If you would like to be kept updated on Māori wards or have feedback or questions, please email us at: haveyoursay@swdc.govt.nz
In 2023 SWDC undertook some pre-engagement with our community around Māori Wards including:
- Drop-in sessions for Martinborough and Featherston.
- Hui at the Marae for Martinborough and Greytown.
- Multiple Facebook posts to pushout notification of Māori Wards.
- Mailout to all those on the Māori 2018 electoral role.
South Wairarapa District Council currently has a Māori Standing Committee (MSC) that advocates on behalf of and in the best interests of tāngata whenua in the district.
- Tāngata whenua refers to whānau, hapū, and iwi who whakapapa to whenua in the South Wairarapa district and is inclusive of Māori organisations and mataawaka who have chosen to live in the district and be a part of the wider Māori community.
At the extraordinary meeting on 7 November 23, the Māori Standing Committee adopted a position of strong unanimous support, based on feedback and consultation with marae, whanau, hapū and iwi for one Māori Ward at South Wairarapa District Council to come into effect for the 2025 & 2028 elections. Details here: Māori Standing Committee
Following this engagement, emails and letters of support for the establishment of Māori wards came from both individuals and iwi groups including:
- Kohunui Marae
- Hau Ariki Marae
- Papawai Marae
- Pae Tū Mokai o Tauira
- Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa
- Rangitāne o Wairarapa
Full details of the engagement can be found in the Representation Review – Māori Wards report to Council on 22 November 23.
On 22 November 23, the Council resolved to establish a Māori Ward for the 2025 and 2028 elections. Details here: Council Meeting 22 November 2023
On 31 July 2014 The Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024 came into force.
The Amendment Act included:
1. Reinstating polls on Māori Wards
2. Requiring 45 councils to either reverse or retain their Māori Ward decisions.
On 4 September 2024 the Strategy Working Committee will include a decision paper on Māori Wards as outlined in the Amendment Act. Details here: Strategy Working Committee 4 September 2024
