More than half of Māori voters now on separate roll as first-time enrolees choose Māori representation

Electoral Commission figures show 507,647 Māori voters are enrolled on the Māori roll, outnumbering the 455,295 on the general roll. New enrolments—3,381 to the Māori roll versus 2,087 to the general roll in April–June—drove the shift. Chief electoral officer Karl Le Quesne said first-time Māori voters have favoured the Māori roll since 2023. Voters have until 6 August to switch rolls before November's election.