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The count of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by over 50%, after a divisive legislative amendment that forced 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 multiple elected officials based on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to vote for a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, councils were only able to create a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time building community backing and pushing their local governments to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to set up a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

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

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to hold decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 decided to keep their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing many regions against guaranteed Māori representation.

The results represented “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it wants to terminate “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – most urban centers required to vote backed Māori wards, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s municipal polls recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

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

“Well, they failed. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

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