If Upper Hutt City Council is required to hold an election in 2028, notice is given under section 19ZA and section 28 the Local Electoral Act 2001, that Upper Hutt City Council has resolved to:
- to establish a Māori ward in Upper Hutt, to take effect for the 2028 and 2031 triennial general elections and continue thereafter in accordance with section 19Z(3)(c)
- to retain First Past the Post as the voting system for the 2028 and 2031 Upper Hutt triennial elections.
A poll is required to countermand each of these resolutions.
Under the Local Electoral Act 2001, Upper Hutt City Council electors have the right to demand a poll on the establishment of Māori wards (under section 19ZB) and the electoral system/voting system to be used (under section 29).
Unless a poll determines otherwise, Upper Hutt will establish a Māori ward and will continue to use First Past the Post, for the 2028 and 2031 triennial elections.
The requirements for a valid demand are set out in section 19ZC and section 30 of the Local Electoral Act 2001 and in summary must:
- be set out in writing
- signed by at least 5 per cent of those enrolled as eligible to vote at the 2025 local elections. This will require a minimum of 1,655 elector signatures.
- be made by people qualified as electors of the local authority, who are enrolled either on the local authority roll (resident or ratepayer) or the most recently published parliamentary roll, at an address within the district
- state the electors name and the address for which the person is qualified as an elector of the local authority and
- be delivered to The Upper Hutt Civic Centre, located at 838–842 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt Central.
Should a valid demand for a poll, on each matter, be received by 11 December 2026, the poll will be held no later than 28 March 2027, and will have effect for the 2028 and 2031 elections.
If a valid demand for a poll is received after 11 December 2026, then the poll will be held after 28 March 2027, and will have effect for the 2031 and 2034 elections.