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The number of guaranteed positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand local authorities will be cut by over 50%, following a controversial law change that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more 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. Initially, local governments could only create a Māori ward by initially putting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time building local support and urging their councils to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to subject 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.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which concluded on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes provided “a crucial move in reinstating local democratic control.”

Opposition parties however have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – most cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent local government elections recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to create other types of electoral districts – such as rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Māori wards indicated the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

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