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The number of guaranteed positions for Māori representatives on NZ councils will be slashed by over 50%, following a controversial legislative amendment that required municipal councils to put the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple councillors based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils could only create a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities frequently devoted considerable time building local support and urging their councils to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, saying local residents should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated councils that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to keep their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing many regions opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

The results represented “a vital step in restoring community self-determination.”

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it wants to end “race-based” approaches, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the public votes were split down urban-rural lines – six of the seven urban centers mandated to hold referendums backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s municipal polls recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to create other types of wards – including countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation indicated the government was singling out Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This statement referred to the 17 regions that voted to retain their seats.