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The number of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, after a divisive law change that forced municipal councils to put the future of hard-won Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more councillors based on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, councils could only create a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations frequently spent years generating community backing and urging their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, stating communities ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had established a ward under Labour’s rules to hold decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

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

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – most urban centers required to vote 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 just beginning to find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Criticism

This year’s local government elections recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of citizens casting a vote, prompting demands for reform.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to create different wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Māori wards suggested the administration was targeting Māori representation.

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

This remark referred to the 17 regions that voted to keep their seats.