PROGRESS RESULT – MĀORI WARD REFERENDUM MEDIA RELEASE

Ōtorohanga District Council has received the progress results of the Māori Ward referendum held alongside the 2025 local elections.

The preliminary result shows 1,264 votes to remove the Māori Ward and 1,123 votes to keep the Māori Ward. Approximately 85% of votes have been counted. The final result, including special votes and those still in transit, will be confirmed later this week.

Under the Local Electoral Act, this referendum was binding on the Council. This means that, subject to confirmation of the final result, the Māori Ward will not continue in the next local election cycle (2028), and the Council will revert to electing all members from general wards.

Ōtorohanga District Council currently has two Māori Ward seats, which were filled in this election. These elected representatives will continue to serve their full three year term as members of Council until the conclusion of the 2025 - 2028 triennium.

Chief Executive Tanya Winter said the result reflects an important democratic process and thanked the community for taking part.

“We appreciate everyone who took the time to have their say. Decisions of this nature are significant for our community and it’s vital that they’re made through open and democratic participation.”

The final confirmed result will be published on the Council website once available: www.otodc.govt.nz/about-council/elections

ENDS

Media contact:

Helen Williams

Manager - Communications & Engagement

Ōtorohanga District Council

[email protected] | 07 873 4000