🔗 Share this article

The number of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ councils will be cut by over 50%, following a controversial legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the future of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple elected officials based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to elect a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils could only establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations often devoted considerable time building local support and urging their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed local councils to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, saying local residents should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required local authorities that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their wards, and 25 to abolish theirs – revealing many regions against guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes provided “a vital step in reinstating community self-determination.”

Critics however have criticised the new policy as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has said it wants to end “race-based” approaches, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were divided down city-country divisions – most urban centers required to vote backed Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had only just come in – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to establish different electoral districts – such as rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The different conditions applied to Māori wards suggested the administration was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement concerned the 17 regions that chose to retain their seats.