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The count of reserved positions for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, after a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to submit the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which can include one or more elected officials based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the choice to elect a assured Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, councils were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Local populations frequently spent years generating local support and urging their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to set up a Māori ward without initially mandating them to put it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, saying communities should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes alongside the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Critics however have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has stated it wants to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were divided down urban-rural lines – most urban centers mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Criticism

This year’s local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are able to establish other types of wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions placed on Māori wards suggested the government was targeting Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement referred to the 17 regions that voted to keep their seats.