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The count of reserved positions for Māori representatives on NZ councils will be cut by over 50%, after a controversial legislative amendment that required municipal councils to submit the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple councillors based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils were only able to create a Māori ward by first submitting it to a public vote in their region. Communities frequently devoted considerable time building community backing and urging their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, saying communities ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Critics however have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it wants to terminate “race-based” policies, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – six of the seven urban centers mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Criticism

This year’s local government elections recorded the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens participating, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to create different electoral districts – including rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards suggested the administration was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

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

This remark referred to the 17 areas that chose to keep their seats.