🔗 Share this article

The count of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on NZ councils is set to be cut by more than half, after a divisive legislative amendment that forced municipal councils to put the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more councillors depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, councils could only establish a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a public vote in their region. Communities often devoted considerable time generating local support and urging their local governments to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government allowed local councils to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

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

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required local authorities that had established a ward under the previous policy to hold binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils participating in the referendum, 17 decided to keep their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties however have criticised the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – most urban centers required to vote supported Indigenous seats, 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.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to establish other types of wards – such as countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation indicated the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

This statement referred to the 17 areas that voted to retain their wards.