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The number of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand councils will be slashed by over 50%, following a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to submit the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include multiple councillors based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils could only create a Māori ward by first putting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities frequently devoted considerable time generating local support and urging their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, stating communities ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required councils that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a crucial move in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to measures designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has said it aims to terminate “race-based” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were split down city-country divisions – most urban centers required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

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.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to establish other types of electoral districts – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards suggested the government was singling out Māori representation.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement concerned the 17 areas that chose to keep their seats.