Binding poll to be held regarding the establishment of Māori wards
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council is holding a binding poll to see whether Māori wards should be introduced for the next two triennial elections in 2019 and in 2022.
Council has the opportunity to establish a Māori ward/wards as an outcome of this process.
The poll has come about because in November 2017 Western Bay councillors voted to establish one or more Māori wards. Consequently, an independent petition (confirmed as valid yesterday) from over five percent of Western Bay District electors against the move was handed to Council requiring a poll.
A poll will be held on Saturday 19 May 2018 and will be conducted under the provisions of the Local Electoral Act 2001 by the Council's electoral officer.
Poll timetable:
| 23 February | Public notice of poll |
| From 27 April | Voting documents posted to electors |
| 27 April to noon 19 May | Progressive roll security/special voting period/early processing |
| Noon 19 May | Poll day, voting closes |
| 21 May | Official declaration of results |
| 23 May | Public notice of results |
