10.    The Electoral System

 

10.4.    Maori Wards

The Local Electoral Act 2001 gives Council the ability to establish separate wards for Maori electors. Council may resolve to create separate Maori wards or conduct a poll on this matter, or the community may demand a poll by way of a petition signed by at least 5% of eligible electors within the district.

If it is decided to establish Maori wards and that decision is made less than two years prior to the next triennial elections then it will not apply until the subsequent election and must remain in effect for at least two triennial elections. The numbers of seats in Maori ward/s is allocated according to the percentage of voters who are registered on the Maori roll.