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The count of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, after a controversial legislative amendment that required local governments to submit the future of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple elected officials based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils could only create a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations often devoted considerable time generating community backing and pushing their councils to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration permitted local councils to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, saying local residents ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had created a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils participating in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing 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 coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven urban centers mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, leading to demands for reform.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to create other types of electoral districts – including rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation indicated the government was singling out Māori representation.

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

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