Māori Ward and Constituency

Council decided in 2023 (and reaffirmed in 2024) to establish a Māori ward, which under legislation in place at that time it was allowed to decide without the need to hold a poll. The Greater Wellington Regional Council also made a decision following this process to establish a Māori constituency. As a result, the Kapiti Coast Māori ward and the Greater Wellington Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui Māori constituency will be in place for the 2025 local body elections.

Only those on the Māori electoral roll can vote for candidates standing for the Māori wards or constituency seats. Similarly, those on the general roll can only vote for candidates standing for general ward seats.

Any eligible person can stand in either Māori or general wards/constituencies.

Candidates do not need to be of Māori descent or on the Māori electoral roll to stand in a Māori ward/constituency, nor do they need to live within the boundaries of the ward/constituency.

But they must be New Zealand citizens, parliamentary electors, and nominated by two electors residing in the ward/constituency and enrolled on the relevant electoral roll they wish to stand in.

This means, anyone standing for the Māori ward or constituency must be nominated by electors residing within the boundaries of the Māori ward/constituency who is enrolled on the Māori electoral roll.

Māori Ward and Constituency Polls 2025

Although this Council’s Māori ward and Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Māori constituency were established following legislation in place at the time, a change in legislation enacted in 2024 requires that councils that have established a Māori ward or constituency without a poll to now hold a poll at the same time as the 2025 local government election. The outcome of that poll will determine the future of the Māori ward/constituency and whether they remains in place for the 2028 and 2031 local elections or whether further representation reviews are required in 2027 to disestablish the ward/constituency again.

Every elector eligible to vote in the Kāpiti Coast District election can vote on whether to keep or remove the Māori ward/constituency. The poll on Māori wards/constituencies is binding. 

Regardless of the outcome of the poll, the Māori ward/constituency will be in place for the 2025-2028 triennium with a Māori ward/constituency councillor seated at the Council tables.

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