Maori voters will have to wait another five years before they can change which roll they vote on.
The Maori Electoral Option closes on Wednesday after running for four months.
The number of voters who join the Maori roll will determine if another Maori electorate seat is created in Parliament.
However, campaign results halfway through have left the co-leader of the Maori Party, Te Ururoa Flavell, and Labour's Maori Affairs spokesperson, Shane Jones, doubtful of any change.
Mr Jones blames the campaign, saying it could have been more robust and run with more verve and energy.
He says more kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face) interaction is needed to reach Maori communities, and it's a shame they will have to wait till 2018.
