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The number of guaranteed seats for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities will be cut by over 50%, following a controversial legislative amendment that forced local governments to submit the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple elected officials depending on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments could only create a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations often devoted considerable time generating community backing and pushing their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a public vote.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, stating communities should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required councils that had established a ward under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the public vote, 17 voted to keep their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing many regions opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in restoring local democratic control.”

Critics nevertheless have condemned the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven urban centers required to vote backed Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to create different electoral districts – including rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions placed on Māori wards indicated the government was targeting Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This remark concerned the 17 areas that voted to keep their seats.