General Wards

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. 

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.

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. 

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

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.