Electoral system to remain First Past the Post

Yesterday Council resolved to continue using the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system for the 2028 local election.

Under the Local Electoral Act 2001, councils must periodically decide which voting system they will use for future local elections. At its meeting on 29 July 2026, Council resolved to retain First Past the Post.

What is First Past the Post?

First Past the Post is the voting system currently used for Matamata-Piako District Council elections. It is the most widely used voting system in New Zealand local government elections and is the system residents have used in our local elections since 2007.

Under this system, voters choose their preferred candidates and the candidates who receive the highest number of votes are elected.

What is Single Transferable Vote?

Single Transferable Vote (STV) is an alternative electoral system available to councils.

Rather than selecting candidates with a single vote, voters rank candidates in order of preference. Votes can be transferred between candidates during the counting process until all available positions are filled.

The official public notice

The Local Electoral Act requires councils to publicly notify their decision on which electoral system they intend to use – you can see our public notice here.

The Act also gives electors the right to challenge that decision by asking for a district-wide poll on the electoral system.

What is a demand for a poll?

A demand for a poll is a formal request from electors asking for the community to vote on whether Council should use First Past the Post or Single Transferable Vote.

For a poll to be held, the request must be signed by at least five percent of eligible electors.

For Matamata-Piako District Council, that means a valid demand must include at least 1,262 signatures from eligible electors and be received by the Electoral Officer by Friday 11 December 2026.

Anyone signing a demand must provide their full name and the address for which they are enrolled to vote within the district.

What happens next?

If no valid demand for a poll is received, First Past the Post will remain the electoral system used for the 2028 local election.

If a valid demand is received, a poll would be held to allow voters to decide which electoral system should be used for future local elections.

For more information, see the public notice or contact Council's Electoral Officer Warwick Lampp on 0800 666 048 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.