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The number of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand councils is set to be slashed by over 50%, following a controversial law change that required local governments to submit the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which may have one or more councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments could only establish a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time building local support and pushing their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, stating communities should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required councils that had created a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to keep their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

The results represented “a crucial move in reinstating local democratic control.”

Opposition parties however have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it aims to end “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down urban-rural lines – six of the seven urban centers mandated to hold referendums backed Māori wards, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards removing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Concerns

The recent local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are permitted to create different wards – such as rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation indicated the administration was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

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