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

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple elected officials depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to vote for a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by first submitting it to a public vote in their area. Communities frequently devoted considerable time generating local support and urging their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government permitted municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, stating communities should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it aims to terminate “race-based” approaches, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – most cities required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Indigenous seats that had recently been established – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Concerns

The recent local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to create other types of wards – such as rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards indicated the government was targeting Māori representation.

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

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