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Far North voters have voted more than two to one against the introduction of Maori wards.
Mayor John Carter called the poll over the opposition of iwi, who expected today's result.
Just over 35 percent of electors voted, with 9315 votes against the introduction of Maori wards and just 4309 for the proposition.
The result means the issue can't be brought up for another two elections.
It still leaves the council struggling with the challenge of ensuring effective Maori representation.
It promised that if the referendum was lost it would seek feedback from Maori about non-electoral engagement options, such as appointed advisory boards or representation on council standing committees.
The Far North District Council has just one councillor of Maori descent, Willow Jean Prime, who is also standing as Labour's candidate in the Northland by-election.
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