Local Electoral Act 2001

Schedule 1A: Provisions relating to Māori wards and Māori constituencies

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"Rules for Māori wards and constituencies in local elections"

Illustration for Local Electoral Act 2001

You need to know about the rules for Māori wards and Māori constituencies. These rules are part of the Local Electoral Act 2001. A territorial authority must decide how many members will be elected by Māori wards and general wards. You can find more information about this in section 19H and Part 1A. The number of Māori ward members is calculated using a formula. If the result is a fraction, it is rounded up or down. A regional council must also decide how many members will be elected by Māori constituencies and general constituencies. You can find more information about this in section 19I and Part 1A. The Government Statistician provides population figures to help with these decisions. These rules work together with other laws, like the Local Government Act 1974 or the Local Government Act 2002. If there are any inconsistencies, the rules in this schedule come first.

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This page was last updated on 26 November 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM95358.

Topics:

Government and voting > Local councilsGovernment and voting > ElectionsMāori affairs > Treaty of Waitangi

Schedule 1: New Zealand method of counting single transferable votes, or

"How New Zealand counts votes in local elections"

Schedule 2: Return of electoral donations and expenses, or

"A form to report election donations and spending"

1AProvisions relating to Māori wards and Māori constituencies Empowered by s 19ZH

1Review of representation arrangements for election of territorial authority

If, for the purposes of a triennial general election, a district of a territorial authority (being a district that is not already divided into 1 or more Māori wards) is required to be divided into 1 or more Māori wards, the territorial authority must, in the year immediately before the year in which the triennial general election is to be held, but not later than 31 July in the year immediately before the year in which the triennial general election is to be held, make a determination under section 19H.
That determination must be made as if the territorial authority were required by section 19H to determine by resolution, in accordance with Part 1A,—
the proposed number of members of the territorial authority (other than the mayor); and
whether—
1. all of the proposed members of the territorial authority (other than the mayor) are to be separately elected by the electors of 1 or more Māori wards and the electors of 1 or more general wards; or
2. some of the proposed members of the territorial authority (other than the mayor) are to be elected by the electors of the district as a whole and some to be elected separately by the electors of 1 or more Māori wards and 1 or more general wards, and, if so, what number of members are to be elected by electors of the district as a whole, and what number are to be elected separately; and
the proposed number of members of the territorial authority to be elected by the electors of 1 or more Māori wards; and
the proposed number of members of the territorial authority to be elected by electors of 1 or more general wards; and
the proposed name and the proposed boundaries of each ward; and
the number of members proposed to be elected by the electors of each Māori ward; and
the number of members proposed to be elected by the electors of each general ward.

This clause does not limit section 19B(1).

Compare

2001 No 1 (L) s 5

Notes

Schedule 1A clause 1(1): amended, on 31 August 2023, by section 37(2) of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).
Schedule 1A clause 1(2)(b)(ii): amended, on 29 June 2013, by section 42 of the Local Electoral Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 40).

2Calculation of number of Māori and general ward members

The number of members to be elected by the electors of 1 or more Māori wards of the district of a territorial authority (Māori ward members) is to be determined in accordance with the following formula:
$nmm = mepd ÷ (mepd + gepd) × nm$

Where:
If a determination is made under clause 1(2)(b)(ii), the definition of nm in the formula must be applied as if for the words proposed number of members of the territorial authority (other than the mayor) there were substituted the words proposed number of members of the territorial authority (other than the mayor and the members to be elected by electors of the district as a whole).
If the number of the Māori ward members (other than the mayor) calculated under subclause (1) includes a fraction, the fraction must be disregarded unless it exceeds a half. If the fraction exceeds a half, the number of Māori ward members must be the next whole number above the number that includes the fraction.
The number of members to be elected by the electors of 1 or more general wards is to be determined by subtracting from the proposed number of members of the territorial authority (other than the mayor, or, if the case requires, other than the mayor and the members of the territorial authority to be elected by electors of the district as a whole) the number of Māori ward members, as calculated under subclauses (1) and (3).
Despite Part 1A and the provisions of this schedule, if the number of Māori ward members, as determined in accordance with the method of calculation in this clause, is zero (because the number of Māori ward members as so determined is a fraction of the whole number 1 that does not exceed one half),—
the district must not be divided into 1 or more Māori wards and 1 or more general wards:
the provisions of clauses 1, 5, and 6 of this schedule must not be applied for the purposes of any determination under section 19H or section 19R.

Compare

2001 No 1 (L) s 6

Notes

Schedule 1A clause 2(1) formula: amended, on 31 August 2023, by section 37(4)(a) of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).
Schedule 1A clause 2(1) formula: amended, on 31 August 2023, by section 37(4)(b) of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).
Schedule 1A clause 2(5): amended, on 28 June 2006, by section 5(1) of the Local Electoral Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 25).

3Review of representation arrangements for election of regional council

If, for the purposes of a triennial general election, a region of a regional council (being a region that is not already divided into 1 or more Māori constituencies) is required to be divided into 1 or more Māori constituencies, the regional council must, in the year immediately before the year in which the triennial general election is to be held, but not later than 31 July in the year immediately before the year in which the triennial general election is to be held, make a determination under section 19I.
That determination must be made as if the regional council were required by section 19I to determine by resolution, in accordance with Part 1A,—
the proposed number of members of the regional council; and
the proposed number of members of the regional council to be elected by the electors of 1 or more Māori constituencies; and
the proposed number of members of the regional council to be elected by electors of 1 or more general constituencies; and
the proposed name and the proposed boundaries of each constituency; and
the number of members proposed to be elected by the electors of each Māori constituency; and
the number of members proposed to be elected by the electors of each general constituency.

Compare

2001 No 1 (L) s 5

Notes

Schedule 1A clause 3(1): amended, on 31 August 2023, by section 37(2) of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

4Calculation of number of Māori and general constituency members

The number of members to be elected by the electors of 1 or more Māori constituencies of a regional council (Māori constituency members) is to be determined in accordance with the following formula:
$nmm = mepr ÷ (mepr + gepr) × nm$

Where:
If the number of the Māori constituency members calculated under subclause (1) includes a fraction, the fraction must be disregarded unless it exceeds a half. If the fraction exceeds a half, the number of Māori constituency members must be the next whole number above the number that includes the fraction.
The number of members to be elected by the electors of 1 or more general constituencies is to be determined by subtracting from the proposed number of members of the regional council the number of Māori constituency members, as calculated under subclauses (1) and (2).
Despite Part 1A and the provisions of this schedule, if the number of Māori constituency members, as determined in accordance with the method of calculation in this clause, is zero (because the number of Māori constituency members as so determined is a fraction of the whole number 1 that does not exceed one half),—
the region must not be divided into 1 or more Māori constituencies and 1 or more general constituencies:
the provisions of clauses 3, 5, and 6 of this schedule must not be applied for the purposes of any determination under section 19I or section 19R.

Compare

2001 No 1 (L) s 6

Notes

Schedule 1A clause 4(1) formula: amended, on 31 August 2023, by section 37(4)(a) of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).
Schedule 1A clause 4(1) formula: amended, on 31 August 2023, by section 37(4)(b) of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).
Schedule 1A clause 4(4): amended, on 28 June 2006, by section 5(2) of the Local Electoral Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 25).

5Relationship with other provisions

In exercising its powers and duties under sections 19H to 19U, and sections 19W to 19Y, a territorial authority or regional council or, as the case may require, the Commission must ensure that any proposal, revised proposal, or determination made under any of those sections is,—
in the case of a territorial authority, consistent with the calculations required by clause 2; and
in the case of a regional council, consistent with the result of the calculations required by clause 4.

If it is proposed to alter the proposed number of members of a territorial authority or regional council at any time after that number is first determined in accordance with clause 1 or clause 3, the territorial authority or regional council or, as the case may require, the Commission must again make, in accordance with the method of calculation specified in clause 2 or the method of calculation specified in clause 4, as the case may require, the determinations required by clause 1 or clause 3.
Subclause (2) does not limit subclause (1).

Compare

2001 No 1 (L) s 7

6Supplementary provisions regarding wards, constituencies, and boundaries

In determining the number of wards and the boundaries of Māori wards, and the number of constituencies and the boundaries of Māori constituencies, a territorial authority or regional council or, as the case may require, the Commission must, in addition to satisfying the requirements of section 19T or section 19U,—
ensure, to the extent that is reasonably practicable and is consistent with the requirements of paragraph (b), that—
1. the ratio of members to Māori electoral population or estimated Māori electoral population in each Māori ward produces a variance of no more than plus or minus 10% (if 2 or more Māori wards for the district are proposed); and
2. the ratio of members to Māori electoral population or estimated Māori electoral population in each Māori constituency produces a variance of no more than plus or minus 10% (if 2 or more Māori constituencies for the region are proposed):
have regard to—
1. the boundaries of any existing Māori electoral district; and
2. communities of interest; and
3. rohe of iwi and hapū.

Notes

Schedule 1A clause 6(a)(i): amended, on 31 August 2023, by section 37(7) of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).
Schedule 1A clause 6(a)(ii): amended, on 31 August 2023, by section 37(7) of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).
Schedule 1A clause 6(b)(ii): amended, on 31 August 2023, by section 37(9) of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).
Schedule 1A clause 6(b)(iii): inserted, on 31 August 2023, by section 37(10) of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

7Population figures

The Government Statistician must, at the request of a territorial authority or regional council or, if appropriate, the Commission, supply the territorial authority or regional council or the Commission with—
a certificate specifying—
1. the Māori electoral population of the district or region; and
2. the general electoral population of the district or region; or
a certificate specifying—
1. the estimated Māori electoral population of the district or region; and
2. the estimated general electoral population of the district or region.

The numbers included in the certificate described in subclause (1)(a) must be derived from information contained in—
the most recent report of the Government Statistician to the Surveyor-General and the other members of the Representation Commission made under section 35(6) of the Electoral Act 1993; or
if subclause (2A) applies, the alternative report referred to in subclause (2A)(b).

In a year where a periodic census is held but a report under section 35(6) of the Electoral Act 1993 is not due to be completed (for the purposes of that Act) until after 1 April of the following year (see the definition of counting day in section 79(2) of that Act),—
the Electoral Commission must, as soon as practicable after census day, supply to the Government Statistician the information listed in section 79(1) of that Act as on census day; and
the Government Statistician must prepare an alternative report for the purposes of this Act, with the information referred to in paragraph (a).

A certificate issued under subclause (1) is conclusive evidence of the information contained in that certificate.

Compare

2001 No 1 (L) s 9

Notes

Schedule 1A clause 7(1): replaced, on 31 August 2023, by section 37(11) of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).
Schedule 1A clause 7(2): replaced, on 31 March 2023, by section 15 of the Electoral (Māori Electoral Option) Legislation Act 2022 (2022 No 62).
Schedule 1A clause 7(2): amended, on 31 August 2023, by section 37(12) of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).
Schedule 1A clause 7(2A): inserted, on 31 March 2023, by section 15 of the Electoral (Māori Electoral Option) Legislation Act 2022 (2022 No 62).

8This schedule to be read with Local Government Act 1974 or Local Government Act 2002 and other provisions of this Act

This schedule is to be read in conjunction with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1974 or the Local Government Act 2002 and the other provisions of this Act, and the provisions of the Local Government Act 1974 or the Local Government Act 2002 and the other provisions of this Act and the provisions of any regulations made under either the Local Government Act 1974 or the Local Government Act 2002 or this Act apply accordingly and with any necessary modifications.
However, if there is any inconsistency between the provisions of this schedule and any provisions of the Local Government Act 1974 or the Local Government Act 2002 or of this Act or of any regulations made under the Local Government Act 1974 or the Local Government Act 2002 or this Act, this schedule prevails.

Compare

2001 No 1 (L) s 4