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The count of reserved positions for Māori representatives on NZ councils is set to be cut by over 50%, after a controversial law change that required local governments to put the future of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more councillors depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments could only create a Māori ward by first putting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities frequently spent years generating local support and urging their councils to create Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government allowed local councils to set up a Māori ward without initially mandating them to put it to a public vote.

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, saying local residents ought to determine whether to establish Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties however have criticised the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it aims to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – most cities required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

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

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are permitted to create other types of wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation indicated the government was targeting Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

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