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The number of reserved positions for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities will be cut by over 50%, after a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to submit the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple elected officials depending on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to elect a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to create a Māori ward by first submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations often spent years building local support and pushing their local governments to create Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, saying local residents ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required councils that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the local body elections, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the referendum, 17 decided to keep their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing many regions against guaranteed Māori representation.

The results provided “a vital step in reinstating community self-determination.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented extensive reversals to policies designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has said it aims to end “race-based” policies, and asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the public votes were divided down city-country divisions – most cities mandated to hold referendums backed Indigenous seats, while rural regions leaned strongly towards removing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Māori wards that had only just come in – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are permitted to create different wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards suggested the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

This remark concerned the 17 regions that voted to keep their wards.