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The number of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand councils is set to be cut by over 50%, after a divisive law change that forced municipal councils to put the future of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include one or more councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, local governments were only able to establish a Māori ward by first putting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities often devoted considerable time building local support and pushing their councils to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, stating local residents should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required local authorities that had established a ward under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes provided “a crucial move in reinstating community self-determination.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it aims to end “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were divided down urban-rural lines – most urban centers required to vote supported Māori wards, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Indigenous seats that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of citizens casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to establish other types of wards – including countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Māori wards indicated the administration was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

This remark referred to the 17 regions that voted to keep their seats.