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The number of guaranteed positions for Māori representatives on NZ councils is set to be cut by more than half, following a controversial law change that forced municipal councils to put the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments were only able to establish a Māori ward by first putting it to a public vote in their region. Communities frequently devoted considerable time generating local support and pushing their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration allowed local councils to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, stating communities should decide whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing many regions against guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in restoring local democratic control.”

Critics however have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it wants to end “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the public votes were split down urban-rural lines – most urban centers mandated to hold referendums backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of citizens participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are able to establish different wards – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a community ballot. The different conditions applied to Indigenous representation indicated the administration was singling out Māori representation.

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

This remark referred to the 17 areas that voted to keep their wards.