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The count of reserved positions for Māori representatives on NZ councils is set to be cut by over 50%, following a controversial law change that required municipal councils to put the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple councillors depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils could only create a Indigenous seat by first submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time building local support and urging their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration allowed local councils 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 communities should decide whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required councils that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to hold decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the referendum, 17 decided to keep their wards, and 25 to abolish theirs – revealing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties however have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to policies designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori 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 Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to establish other types of wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation suggested the government was targeting Māori representation.

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

This remark referred to the 17 regions that chose to retain their seats.