Whangārei District Wards

A ward is a specific area where voters elect councillors to represent that area. They include general and Māori ward areas.

You can read more about the representation arrangements for the Whangārei District by following the link below:

Representation arrangements

The Whangārei District is made of five general wards and a Māori ward.

Find your ward

You can search for an address or location to find out what ward you are in.  

Whangārei District Wards map

Māori Wards

Electors on the Māori roll are represented by 2 Māori ward councillors elected in a single District-wide Māori ward, the Whangārei District Māori Ward.

You can only vote for candidates in the ward you are enrolled in.

If you are of Māori descent, you can enrol in either the general or the Māori electoral rolls.  If you are not of Māori descent, you can only enrol on the general electoral roll. Electors who are enrolled on the Māori ward, vote for candidates in the Māori ward.

All electors vote for the Mayor.

What is a Māori ward?

A Māori ward is a ward where electors on the Māori roll vote for candidates standing for election in a Māori ward.

Only people of Māori descent can enrol on the Māori roll and vote for candidates standing for election in a Māori ward.

Who can stand for election in a Māori ward?

A candidate standing for election in a Māori ward does not have to be of Māori descent or on the Māori roll.

To be eligible to stand for election in a Māori ward, you must be:

  • A New Zealand Citizen (by birth or citizenship ceremony); and
  • Enrolled on the Parliamentary electoral roll anywhere in New Zealand; and
  • Nominated by two electors whose names appear on the Māori roll within the Whangārei District Māori Ward.

Candidates cannot stand for the General and Māori wards at the same time.

Can electors on the Māori electoral roll vote for candidates in General wards and vice versa?

No. People enrolled on the Māori electoral roll can only vote for candidates in a Māori ward and cannot vote for candidates in a General ward.

Similarly, people who are enrolled on the General electoral can only vote for candidates in a General ward but not for candidates in a Māori ward. 

Do Māori ward councillors only represent Māori?

No. All councillors, whether elected from General or Māori wards, represent the entire community in the District. 

How many Māori ward councillors are there?

The number of councillors (for both Māori and general wards) is based on the number of people living in each area. Each councillor should represent a similar number of people.

The Whangārei District Māori Ward is represented by 2 Māori ward councillors. 

General Wards

The General roll is represented by 11 General ward councillors elected in five general wards.

You can only vote for candidates in the ward you are enrolled in. Electors who are enrolled on the general ward, vote for candidates in the general ward. All electors vote for the Mayor.

The five general wards are:

  • Bream Bay General Ward: represented by 2 councillors, elected by electors enrolled on the general roll
  • Hikurangi - Coastal General Ward: represented by 2 councillors, elected by electors enrolled on the general roll
  • Mangakahia - Maungatapere General Ward: represented by 1 councillor, elected by electors enrolled on the general roll
  • Whangārei Heads General Ward: represented by 1 councillor, elected by electors enrolled on the general roll
  • Whangārei Urban General Ward: represented by 5 councillors, elected by electors enrolled on the general roll

What is a general ward?

General wards are wards where electors on the general electoral roll vote for candidates standing in a general ward. General wards sit alongside Māori wards. 

Who can stand for election in a general ward?

A candidate standing for election in a general ward can be of Māori or pakeha descent.  

To be eligible to stand for election in a general ward, you must be:

  • A New Zealand Citizen (by birth or citizenship ceremony); and
  • Enrolled on the Parliamentary electoral roll anywhere in New Zealand; and
  • Nominated by two electors whose names appear on the general roll within the Whangārei District General Ward.

Candidates cannot stand for the General and Māori wards at the same time.

Can electors on the general electoral roll vote for candidates in Māori wards and vice versa?

No. People enrolled on the general electoral roll can only vote for candidates in a general ward and cannot vote for candidates in a Māori ward. 

Do general ward councillors only represent those enrolled on the general roll?

No. All councillors, whether elected from general or Māori wards, represent the entire community in the District. 

How many general ward councillors are there?

The number of councillors (for both Māori and general wards) is based on the number of people living in each area. Each councillor should represent a similar number of people.

Electors enrolled on the general roll is represented by 11 general ward councillors elected in five general wards.

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