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

Background Information on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include multiple councillors depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to elect a assured Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, councils could only create a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities often devoted considerable time building local support and urging their local governments to create Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, saying local residents should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required councils that had created a ward under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to keep their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes provided “a crucial move in restoring community self-determination.”

Opposition parties however have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has said it aims to terminate “race-based” policies, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – most cities required to vote backed Māori wards, 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 find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens casting a vote, prompting demands for reform.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to establish different electoral districts – including countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards indicated the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This statement concerned the 17 regions that chose to retain their seats.