5068 (2024). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Minister of Local Government

5068 (2024). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Minister of Local Government: What is the estimated cost, broken down per council, of holding a binding poll at the next local election on the establishment of Māori wards?

Hon Simeon Brown: Estimated costs vary based on the population size and distribution of the council, and depend on a range of factors, including postage costs, voting paper design, and printing requirements. I do not hold information about the estimated cost for each council. Councils may also choose to avoid a poll, and its associated costs, by resolving to reverse decisions made without an electoral mandate. For those that do hold a poll the Government has timed them with the next local body elections to minimise costs.