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The number of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities will be cut by over 50%, following a divisive law change that required local governments to submit the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which can include one or more councillors based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the option to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments could only create a Māori ward by first submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations often spent years generating local support and pushing their councils to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, saying local residents should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation mandated councils that had created a electoral district under the previous policy to hold binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing many regions opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

The results provided “a vital step in reinstating community self-determination.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were split down urban-rural lines – most cities mandated to hold referendums backed Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Criticism

This year’s municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with under one-third of citizens participating, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are able to establish other types of wards – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards indicated the administration was targeting Māori representation.

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

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