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How many Māori wards or Māori constituencies, if any, will be affected by the proposed new unitary authorities, and what guarantee, if any, is there that Māori representation will be maintained?

Answered Question 35799 (2026)
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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • How many Māori wards or Māori constituencies, if any, will be affected by the proposed new unitary authorities, and what guarantee, if any, is there that Māori representation will be maintained?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

There are eight regional Māori constituencies that will be affected by the removal of regional councils at the 2028 local elections. As the Government is still assessing Head Start proposals, it is yet to be determined how many Māori wards will be affected. It is up to communities to decide what representation arrangements are best for them, and this includes Māori wards.