🔗 Share this article

The number of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities is set to be cut by over 50%, following a controversial legislative amendment that forced municipal councils to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple councillors based on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils could only create a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations often devoted considerable time building community backing and pushing their local governments to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, stating communities should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had created a electoral district under the previous policy to hold decisive public votes alongside the local body elections, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it aims to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily 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.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to establish other types of wards – including rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards indicated the government was targeting Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

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