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The count of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on NZ councils will be cut by over 50%, following a controversial law change that required local governments to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which can include multiple councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to vote for a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments were only able to create a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities frequently devoted considerable time generating local support and urging their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to put it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, saying communities ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required councils that had created a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to keep their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes provided “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics nevertheless have condemned the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to measures designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has said it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Indigenous seats that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to establish different electoral districts – such as rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards indicated the government was singling out Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement concerned the 17 areas that chose to keep their seats.