Whanganui iwi leader is calling for an immediate halt to the Whanganui Local Body Election and Māori Ward Referendum after the official candidate booklet sent to voters excluded all Māori ward candidates.

“This is a direct breach of democracy and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Our Māori candidates have been erased. It is unlawful, discriminatory, and cannot stand,” said Whanganui Iwi leader Ken Mair.

“This is not a printing error. It is systemic prejudice that denies Māori equal participation. Māori wards were created to guarantee representation. That purpose has been completely undermined.”

Whanganui Iwi Require Immediate Action:

1. Postpone the Whanganui Local Body Election and Māori Ward Referendum.

2. Reprint and deliver corrected booklets including all Māori ward candidates to every voter at no cost.

3. Confirm, in consultation with iwi, the steps being taken to restore fairness and comply with the Local Electoral Act, the Bill of Rights, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

“If this is not fixed at once, iwi will take the matter to the courts to stop this election in its tracks,” Mair warned.

“This is bigger than Whanganui. If Māori candidates can be erased here, it can happen anywhere. The trust of our people in the electoral system has been broken. Democracy itself is at stake.”

Mair has requested written confirmation of corrective action by 12 September 2025.

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