Western Bay Campaigning Risks Invalidating Māori Ward Vote

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is backing ACT MP Cameron Luxton's concerns over councils campaigning in favour of Māori wards. Legal advice circulated to all councils by Taituarā has already made it clear that doing so may breach electoral law and could result in the poll being declared void and another poll issued.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“Promoting a ‘Council position’ on the very question up for public vote risks invalidating the result entirely. Despite this, councils like Hastings and now Western Bay of Plenty are using ratepayer money pushing their staff’s own views.”

"This is a matter of democratic integrity. You can’t be both referee and cheerleader. When councils take a side in a process they’re meant to run neutrally, they’re opening the door to legal challenges and a possible repeat of the entire poll.”

“Councils have been clearly warned. Not just of the legal risk, but of potential Auditor-General investigations, overturned results, Ministerial intervention and the cost to ratepayers of having to redo the same poll.”

“If councillors want to campaign, they should do it with their own money and time. Not with ratepayer-funded communications teams.”