Māori electoral roll passes 50% threshold as new voters choose Māori representation

Electoral Commission figures show 507,647 Māori voters are now enrolled on the Māori roll, outnumbering the 455,295 on the general roll. The shift reflects new enrolments—3,381 to the Māori roll versus 2,087 to the general roll in the April–June 2025 quarter—rather than existing voters switching. Chief electoral officer Karl Le Quesne noted first-time Māori enrollees have favoured the Māori roll since 2023. Voters have until 6 August to change rolls before the November election.