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The count of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on New Zealand local authorities is set to be cut by more than half, following a controversial law change that forced municipal councils to submit the future of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more 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 local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to create a Māori ward by initially putting it to a public vote in their area. Communities often spent years generating community backing and urging their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government permitted municipal authorities to establish 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 communities should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – revealing many regions opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes provided “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Opposition parties however have criticised the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it wants to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – most cities required to vote backed Māori wards, 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.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are able to establish other types of wards – including countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions applied to Māori wards suggested the administration was targeting Māori representation.

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

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