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The count of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on NZ councils is set to be cut by over 50%, after a controversial legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more elected officials based on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments were only able to create a Indigenous seat by initially putting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time building local support and pushing their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, stating local residents should decide whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the public vote, 17 decided to keep their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

The results represented “a crucial move in restoring community self-determination.”

Critics nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it wants to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were split down urban-rural lines – most cities mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had only just come in – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to create different wards – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation suggested the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

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

This statement referred to the 17 regions that voted to retain their wards.