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The count of guaranteed positions for Māori representatives on NZ councils will be slashed by more than half, after a divisive law change that required local governments to submit the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which can include one or more elected officials depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the choice to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments could only create a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time building local support and urging their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration permitted local councils to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, stating communities ought to determine whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Critics nevertheless have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to measures designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it aims to terminate “race-based” approaches, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down urban-rural lines – most urban centers mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to create other types of electoral districts – including rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation suggested the government 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 voted to retain their seats.