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The number of reserved seats for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils is set to be slashed by more than half, following a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have one or more elected officials based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to vote for a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time building community backing and pushing their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a public vote.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, stating local residents should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had established a ward under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Critics however have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, prompting demands for reform.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to establish other types of electoral districts – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions placed on Māori wards indicated the administration was singling out Māori representation.

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

This statement referred to the 17 areas that chose to retain their wards.