🔗 Share this article

The number of reserved positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils will be slashed by more than half, after a controversial legislative amendment that forced 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 multiple councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to establish a Māori ward by first putting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations often spent years building local support and pushing their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without initially mandating them to put it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, stating local residents should decide whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which concluded on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a crucial move in restoring local democratic control.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has stated it wants to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – most cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Criticism

This year’s local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to create other types of electoral districts – such as rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation indicated the administration was singling out Māori representation.

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

This remark concerned the 17 areas that voted to keep their seats.