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The count of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on NZ councils is set to be cut by more than half, following a controversial law change that forced local governments to submit the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which can include multiple elected officials based on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by first putting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities often spent years generating local support and pushing their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, saying communities ought to determine whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had created a ward under the previous policy to hold binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes represented “a crucial move in restoring community self-determination.”

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it aims to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Criticism

The recent municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to create other types of electoral districts – such as rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation suggested the government was singling out Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This remark referred to the 17 areas that chose to keep their wards.