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The count of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by over 50%, following a controversial legislative amendment that required municipal councils to put the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more councillors depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to create a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time generating community backing and pushing their local governments to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a public vote.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, saying communities should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required councils that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a crucial move in reinstating local democratic control.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the coalition government has implemented extensive reversals to measures designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has said it wants to terminate “race-based” policies, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes 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 backed Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of citizens participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

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

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement referred to the 17 areas that voted to keep their seats.