Roll choice deadline for Māori
Māori voters who would like to change electoral rolls before the local elections have until 10 July to make their choice.
If you are Māori, you choose the Māori roll or the general roll when you first enrol to vote. After that, you can change rolls at any time except in the three months before an election.
“You can change the roll you’re on for the local elections up until 10 July. You can’t switch rolls in the three months before the local elections on 11 October,” says Hone Matthews, Chief Advisor Māori.
“The local elections are when we vote for the people who represent us on our city, district and regional councils. Make sure you’re enrolled so you can have your say.
“If you’re on the Māori roll and your council has Māori wards, you’ll vote in a Māori ward. If you’re on the general roll or your council doesn’t have Māori wards, you’ll vote in a general ward.
“The elections are run by councils and it’s a postal vote. Check your address is up to date so you receive voting papers from your local council in the mail.
“Go to vote.nz to enrol, check your details, or change your roll type,” says Hone Matthews.
50 years of the Māori Electoral Option
2025 marks 50 years of the Māori Electoral Option, which is the choice for Māori between the Māori roll and the general roll.
The Electoral Amendment Act passed in 1975 defined Māori as a person of New Zealand Māori descent and means anyone who is Māori has the option of enrolling to vote on either roll.
“General roll or Māori roll, it’s your choice. He mana tō te kōwhiri - your choice has mana,” says Hone Matthews.