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February 12, 2026
#election2026: New Zealand First to Campaign for Referendum on Māori Seats
Waatea Team
Posted On February 12, 2026
New Zealand First has officially announced it will campaign for a referendum on the future of the Māori electorates ahead of this year’s general election, reaffirming a long-standing policy position on what it describes as one of the country’s most important constitutional questions.
The party’s latest announcement, published on its official website, states that the time has come for New Zealanders to decide through a binding vote whether the system of dedicated Māori electorates should remain in place after the 2026 election.
New Zealand First says its proposal is rooted in its longstanding view that all New Zealanders should be treated as equal citizens and that Māori representation in Parliament should form part of a broader national discussion. The party intends to make this referendum a centrepiece of its campaign in the months leading up to the election.
While the party’s official announcement does not specify detailed question wording or timing, it reinforces New Zealand First’s historical stance on referendums and constitutional issues – a strategy it has employed repeatedly, including on issues like parliamentary term length.
Māori electorates have existed in New Zealand’s political system for more than 160 years, originally established in 1867 as a means of ensuring Māori participation in Parliament. Over time, they have become a recognised feature of the mixed-member proportional (MMP) electoral system, alongside general electorates that are contested by a broader range of candidates.
The proposal is expected to reignite debate around the role and place of Māori electorates in New Zealand’s democracy. Supporters argue the seats provide dedicated voice and representation for Māori perspectives in the legislative process, bridging historical inequities and contributing to a more inclusive Parliament.
Critics of the idea, including some right-wing commentators and political groups, have long argued that Māori electorates are unnecessary in modern Aotearoa and run counter to “equal citizenship” principles – a line of argument closely aligned with New Zealand First’s policy frame.
Public opinion on the topic has been mixed in recent years. Local government referendums on Māori wards, which operate on similar principles of dedicated Māori representation at council level, have produced varied results, with some districts voting in support and others against Māori wards.
New Zealand First’s announcement comes amid a broader election year in which questions about identity, representation and constitutional arrangements are increasingly front of mind. Other political parties, including ACT New Zealand, have also proposed referendums on Māori representation issues in the past, aligning with their wider policy goals on electoral reform.
The announcement is likely to sharpen focus around the general election campaign, setting up a potentially contentious public debate about the future of Māori seats – and the nature of democracy in Aotearoa.
What happens next: If New Zealand First secures sufficient influence in the upcoming election, pushing for a binding referendum could see a nationwide vote on whether Māori electorates should be retained – making the question not just a matter of party policy, but of public decision.
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