Notice of Electoral System and Right to Demand a Poll

Notice of Electoral System and Right to Demand a Poll 

Notice is given under section 28 of the Local Electoral Act 2001, that the Wairoa District Council resolved on 1 September 2026 to retain the First Past the Post electoral system for the next triennial election in 2028.

Electors of the Wairoa District Council have a right to demand a poll at any time to countermand the use of the First Past the Post electoral system.

Should a valid demand for a poll be received by 11 December 2026, a poll will be held by 28 March 2027 on whether the First Past the Post or the Single Transferable Voting electoral system will be used for the next two triennial elections (2028 and 2031) of Wairoa District Council.

A valid demand must be –

• made in writing;
• signed by at least 5 percent of eligible electors of the Wairoa District Council. This equates to 285 elector signatures;
• delivered to the Wairoa District Council, 97 Queen Street, Wairoa by 4.30pm, Friday 11 December 2026 (for the outcome of the poll to apply for the 2028 and 2031 triennial elections of the Wairoa District Council).

Every elector who signs a demand must also set out in it their full name and the address for which they are qualified as an elector of the Wairoa District Council.

This notice is given despite the government’s Simplifying Local Government process.

Dated at Wairoa
3 September 2026
Matthew Lawson, Chief Executive
Wairoa District Council