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The count of reserved seats for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils will be slashed by over 50%, after a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to submit the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which may have multiple councillors depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments were only able to create a Māori ward by initially putting it to a public vote in their area. Communities often devoted considerable time generating local support and pushing their councils to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to establish a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, stating communities should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required councils that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Opposition parties however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it aims to end “race-based” approaches, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the public votes were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to create different electoral districts – including countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation suggested the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

This remark referred to the 17 regions that voted to retain their wards.