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The count of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ councils is set to be cut by more than half, after a controversial law change that forced local governments to submit the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple councillors based on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments were only able to establish a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities often devoted considerable time building community backing and pushing their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to establish a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, saying local residents ought to determine whether to establish Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required local authorities that had established a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes alongside the local body elections, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils participating in the referendum, 17 decided to keep their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it wants to terminate “race-based” policies, and asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the public votes were divided down city-country divisions – most urban centers mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are permitted to create other types of wards – such as rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation suggested the government was singling out Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This remark concerned the 17 areas that chose to keep their wards.