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The count of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, following a divisive law change that forced local governments to submit the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which may have one or more councillors based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by first putting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities often devoted considerable time generating community backing and pushing their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to put it to a popular ballot.

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

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes alongside the local body elections, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to keep their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it wants to terminate “race-based” approaches, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – most cities required to vote supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions leaned strongly towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.”

Electoral Participation and Criticism

The recent municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens casting a vote, prompting demands for reform.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are permitted to establish different electoral districts – including rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation indicated the administration was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This remark concerned the 17 areas that chose to retain their wards.