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The count of reserved positions for Māori representatives on NZ councils is set to be slashed by over 50%, after a divisive law change that forced local governments to submit the fate of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to vote for a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments could only establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time building local support and pushing their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To address this concern, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, stating local residents ought to determine whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated councils that had created a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their wards, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing many regions opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the public votes were split down urban-rural lines – most cities required to vote supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re just beginning to hit their stride.”

Electoral Participation and Criticism

The recent local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to create other types of wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards indicated the administration was targeting Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This remark referred to the 17 regions that chose to keep their wards.