Council has voted unanimously to retain the Māori Ward and hold a binding poll alongside the 2025 local government elections. The outcome of the poll will be effective for the 2028 and 2031 elections, with Council undertaking a full representation review by 2027/28 as planned. The decision came following the coalition Government’s introduction of the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024.

Because a Māori Ward was established in 2021, following legislative changes by the previous government, Council were given two options. The Māori Ward could be disestablished and a shortened representation review completed by Christmas (i.e. no Māori Ward for the 2025 local election), or hold a binding poll alongside the 2025 election with the outcome to be into effect for the 2028 local election (i.e. retain the Māori Ward for the 2025 local election).

Today Gary Thompson, the current Te Toa Horopū ā Matamata-Piako (or Māori Ward Councillor for the district) stated, “I want to express my satisfaction that we’ve had some really good discussions here in Council and I’m comfortable that we’ve landed, through those discussions, at a really solid space. I would like to, if I could, move that Council adopts Option Two [binding poll].” The options were also discussed with Te Manawhenua Forum, a standing committee of Council who facilitates tangata whenua contribution to local decision making. They opposed the new legislation and stated that they wished to retain the Māori Ward.

Mayor Adrienne believes that a binding poll was the best of the options, “The option to disestablish would’ve required council to conduct a shortened representation review and that would have been less than ideal for a variety of reasons. We haven’t budgeted for it to happen this year, with a full representation review scheduled in the 2026-27 financial year. It’s also important we carry out the review with the latest census data and we’re yet to receive the latest population figures. We want our community to have the best available information when they’re deciding how they want to be represented in 2026-27.”

Yesterday’s decision meant voters in the 2025 Local Elections will now be asked to vote on the Mayor, Matamata, Morrinsville and Te Aroha Ward Councillors and Maori Ward Councillor, as well as retaining or disestablishing the Māori Ward. The Māori Ward poll will be binding and effective for the 2028 and 2031 local elections. You can view the livestream recording of the decision here and previous Te Manawhenua Forum and Council Meetings on our YouTube channel here.