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The count of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by over 50%, after a controversial legislative amendment that required local governments to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple elected officials based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to vote for a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils could only establish a Indigenous seat by initially putting it to a community referendum in their region. Local populations often spent years generating community backing and urging their local governments to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted local councils to establish a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, stating communities should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required councils that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which concluded on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments participating in the public vote, 17 voted to keep their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented extensive reversals to measures designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – most urban centers required to vote backed Māori wards, while rural regions 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 find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Concerns

This year’s municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to create other types of electoral districts – such as rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards suggested the government was singling out 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.