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The count of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities is set to be cut by over 50%, following a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more councillors depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments could only create a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations often spent years generating local support and pushing their local governments to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted local councils to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, saying local residents ought to determine whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had established a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to keep their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing many regions opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

The results provided “a crucial move in restoring local democratic control.”

Critics nevertheless have condemned the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to measures intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has said it wants to end “race-based” policies, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were divided down urban-rural lines – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums backed Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Māori wards that had only just come in – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Criticism

The recent municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to create different wards – such as rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation indicated the administration was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

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