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The count of guaranteed positions for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities will be cut by more than half, following a divisive legislative amendment that required local governments to put the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have multiple elected officials based on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, councils could only establish a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities often devoted considerable time building community backing and urging their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, saying local residents should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required local authorities that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Critics however have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to policies intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it aims to terminate “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – most cities mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of citizens casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to create other types of wards – such as countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The different conditions applied to Māori wards suggested the administration was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

This statement referred to the 17 regions that voted to keep their wards.