Regional Council Election Results: Detailed Breakdown by Authority and Ward
The recent local government elections have provided a comprehensive look at voter sentiment across various territorial authorities and regional councils. The results reflect a diverse range of opinions on whether to keep or remove specific council structures, with significant variations appearing between urban centers and rural districts.
Across the board, the data reveals a narrow overall margin, with a slight preference for maintaining current structures. However, when diving into the specific wards and councils, the patterns of support and opposition become much more pronounced.
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Key Facts
- Total Votes: A total of 1,078,949 votes were cast across all measured authorities.
- Overall Outcome: 50.25% of voters voted to "Keep," while 43.37% voted to "Remove."
- Highest Support: Wellington City Council showed the strongest support for keeping, with a margin of 28,312 votes (64.58% support).
- Strongest Opposition: Matamata-Piako District Council saw a significant margin against keeping, with 56.56% voting to remove.
- Māori Ward Trends: Māori wards consistently showed overwhelming support for "Keep," often exceeding 90% in various districts.
- Regional Council Trends: Greater Wellington RC recorded the highest total turnout with 187,872 voters.
Analysis of Territorial Authorities
The results among territorial authorities—local government bodies responsible for specific districts or cities—show a clear divide. Urban hubs like Wellington, Porirua, and Hutt City leaned heavily toward keeping the status quo, while several district councils in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions favored removal.
Urban vs. Rural Divergence
In Wellington City Council, the "Keep" vote dominated with 52,677 votes compared to 24,365 for "Remove." Conversely, in the Thames-Coromandel District Council, the "Remove" vote led with 6,995 votes against 4,873 for "Keep." This suggests a geographic split in how residents perceive the utility or necessity of these council structures.
Regional Council Performance
Regional councils, which manage broader environmental and infrastructure needs, also saw varied results. The Greater Wellington RC stood out with a massive margin of 46,615 votes in favor of keeping, while the Taranaki RC saw a margin of -4,374, indicating a preference for removal.
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Detailed Ward-Level Results
When analyzing the data by ward, the distinction between general and Māori wards becomes the most striking feature of the election. Māori wards—electoral areas specifically for Māori representatives—showed nearly universal support for the "Keep" option.
Notable Ward Outcomes
- High Support: The Te Ipu Wai Taketake Māori ward in Rotorua Lakes Council recorded a staggering 96.33% "Keep" vote.
- High Opposition: The Wharepuhunga general ward in Ōtorohanga District Council saw 70.51% of voters opting to "Remove."
- Urban Strongholds: In Wellington, the Paekawakawa/Southern general ward recorded 73.18% support for keeping.
Summary of Total Results
The following table summarizes the aggregate data across all participating councils and authorities.
| Metric | Value / Percentage |
|---|---|
| Total Turnout | 1,078,949 |
| Total "Keep" Votes | 542,134 (50.25%) |
| Total "Remove" Votes | 467,923 (43.37%) |
| Total Blank Ballots | 68,586 (6.36%) |
| Overall Margin | 74,211 (6.88%) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the overall result of the vote?
The overall result was a victory for the "Keep" side, which secured 50.25% of the total vote compared to 43.37% for "Remove," resulting in a total margin of 74,211 votes.
Which council had the highest voter turnout?
The Greater Wellington Regional Council had the highest turnout, with 187,872 total votes cast.
How did Māori wards differ from general wards?
Māori wards showed significantly higher support for the "Keep" option, frequently recording support levels above 90%, whereas general wards were much more divided and often leaned toward "Remove" in rural districts.
Which area showed the strongest opposition to keeping the council structure?
Among territorial authorities, the Matamata-Piako District Council showed strong opposition, with 56.56% of voters choosing to "Remove." At a ward level, the Wharepuhunga general ward had one of the highest removal rates at 70.51%.
What percentage of ballots were left blank?
Approximately 6.36% of the total ballots cast were blank, totaling 68,586 votes.