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The count of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ councils is set to be cut by more than half, after a controversial legislative amendment that forced municipal councils to submit the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have multiple councillors based on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments could only create a Indigenous seat by first putting it to a public vote in their area. Communities frequently spent years building local support and urging their councils to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, saying local residents should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required councils that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it wants to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were divided down urban-rural lines – most urban centers mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions leaned strongly 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 Concerns

This year’s local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of citizens participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to establish different wards – including countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation indicated the administration was singling out Māori representation.

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

This statement concerned the 17 regions that chose to retain their seats.