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The number of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ councils will be cut by over 50%, after a divisive legislative amendment that required local governments to submit the fate of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more elected officials based on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments could only establish a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations often spent years generating local support and urging their councils to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to put it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, saying local residents ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required local authorities that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes alongside the local body elections, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing many regions opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

The results provided “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has implemented extensive reversals to measures designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it aims to terminate “race-based” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were divided down urban-rural lines – six of the seven urban centers mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re just beginning to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to create different wards – such as rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation suggested the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Numerous localities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This remark referred to the 17 areas that chose to retain their seats.