What’s changing?
The Representation Commission has made changes to New Zealand’s parliamentary electorates. This includes changes to the boundaries and, in some cases, the names of electorates.
Report of the Representation Commission 2025
What is a boundary review?
After each population census, the Representation Commission reviews and adjusts electorate boundaries.
Regularly adjusting the electorate boundaries makes sure each electorate has about the same number of people. This gives all New Zealanders equal representation in Parliament.
How are electoral boundaries decided?
How many electorates will there be?
After the 2023 Census, the Government Statistician worked out how many Māori and general electorates there should be. They also worked out the population quotas – how many people should be in each electorate.
For the 2026 General Election:
- the number of general electorates in the North Island reduces from 49 to 48
- the number of general electorates in the South Island is fixed at 16
- the number of Māori electorates remains unchanged at 7.
The calculation was made in 2024 using information from the 2023 Census and from the electoral rolls as at 1 April 2024. These dates, and the formula used for the calculation of electorates, are set out in the Electoral Act 1993.
Working out how many electorates there should be
What happens in a boundary review?
Who reviews electorate boundaries?
The Representation Commission is the independent body that reviews the boundaries and names of electorates. The members include public officials and Government and Opposition appointees.