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The number of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, following a controversial law change that required local governments to put the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have multiple elected officials based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the option to vote for a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils could only create a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a public vote in their region. Communities frequently spent years generating community backing and urging their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to establish a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

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

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes represented “a crucial move in reinstating community self-determination.”

Critics however have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it wants to terminate “race-based” approaches, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – most cities mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re just beginning to hit their stride.”

Electoral Participation and Criticism

The recent municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are permitted to establish different wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions applied to Indigenous representation suggested the government was targeting Māori representation.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This statement concerned the 17 areas that voted to retain their wards.