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The number of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on NZ councils is set to be cut by over 50%, after a controversial law change that forced municipal councils to submit the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which can include one or more elected officials depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments could only establish a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities frequently spent years generating community backing and pushing their local governments to create Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, stating local residents ought to determine whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated councils that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums concurrently with the local body elections, which concluded on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it aims to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities required to vote supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to establish different wards – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation suggested the administration was targeting Māori representation.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement concerned the 17 regions that voted to keep their wards.