A poll of electors on the establishment of a Māori ward for Tauranga has been formally cancelled after a change to local government electoral laws came into effect.
The change, to the Local Electoral Act 2001, removes a provision in which a council’s decision to introduce a Māori ward can be overturned by a process in which at least 5% of voters sign a petition requiring a binding poll.
Tauranga City Council’s former mayor and councillors voted last August to introduce a Māori ward.
A valid petition was received in February, by which time Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta had indicated that a law change would remove the poll provision. The council was obliged to continue preparations for a poll until the law change formally came into effect.
Tauranga City Council Electoral Officer Warwick Lampp said the law change had now occurred. This meant there was no longer provision for the poll to continue, and it had therefore been cancelled.