16.1.4 Māori wards

  1. Auckland Council may, by resolution, divide the district into one or more Māori wards. If the Council decides to do so, it must give public notice of the right to demand a poll in which electors can vote on whether the district should be divided into Māori wards [1].

  2. The council may decide to hold a poll [2] or it may be demanded by a specified number of electors [3]. If a valid demand is received, there are set time frames for when the poll must be held and when it would take effect [4].

  3. There are some limitations, for example if a poll was already held at the last triennial election, or will be held at the next one, or if another enactment requires the district to be divided into Māori wards [5]. 

  4. If the result of a poll requires the division of the district into one or more Māori wards, there are set times when this must take effect [6].

  5. If the district is to be divided into one or more Māori wards for the purposes of an election, the council must determine [7]:

    • whether all members are to be separately elected from Māori wards and general wards, or whether some members are to be elected ‘at large’ with some separately elected on a ward basis; and, if so, how many of each

    • the number of members to be elected from Māori wards, and the number of members to be elected from general wards, determined in accordance with the formula set out in the legislation [8]

    • the names and boundaries of each Māori ward

    • the number of members to be elected from each Māori ward and the number of members to be elected from each general ward.

  6. Decisions in relation to the division of the district into one or more Māori wards must comply with the same requirements as when deciding on representation arrangements for general wards. The ratio of members to the Māori electoral population in each Māori ward must produce a variance of no more than plus or minus 10% [9]. 

  7. The Council must also have regard to the boundaries of any existing Māori electoral district, communities of interest and tribal affiliations [10].

 

 

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