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The count of reserved seats for Māori representatives on New Zealand local authorities is set to be slashed by over 50%, following a divisive legislative amendment that required municipal councils to submit the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple elected officials depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils could only create a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities frequently devoted considerable time building community backing and urging their councils to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without initially mandating them to put it to a public vote.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, saying local residents ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had established a ward under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in restoring community self-determination.”

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented extensive reversals to measures intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it aims to terminate “race-based” policies, and asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the public votes were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities required to vote supported Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to create different electoral districts – such as rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards suggested the administration was targeting Māori representation.

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

This statement concerned the 17 areas that chose to keep their wards.