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The number of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities will be cut by more than half, after a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which may have one or more councillors based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to vote for a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, local governments were only able to establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a public vote in their area. Communities frequently spent years generating local support and urging their councils to create Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to establish 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, stating communities should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation mandated councils that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments participating in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

The results provided “a vital step in restoring local democratic control.”

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it aims to end “race-based” policies, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – most cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had recently been established – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Concerns

The recent local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to establish different electoral districts – including rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Māori wards indicated the administration was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

This remark referred to the 17 regions that voted to keep their seats.