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The number of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities will be slashed by over 50%, following a controversial law change that required local governments to submit the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have multiple councillors depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments were only able to create a Māori ward by first putting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities often devoted considerable time generating local support and urging their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to put it to a public vote.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, stating local residents ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to keep their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing many regions opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

The results provided “a crucial move in restoring community self-determination.”

Critics nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it wants to end “race-based” policies, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting demands for reform.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are permitted to establish different electoral districts – including countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards suggested the administration was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

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