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The count of guaranteed seats for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities is set to be cut by more than half, following a divisive law change that required municipal councils to put the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more elected officials depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to create a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities frequently spent years building local support and urging their local governments to create Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration allowed local councils to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, saying communities ought to determine whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had created a ward under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing many regions against guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in restoring local democratic control.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it aims to terminate “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – most urban centers mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

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

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to create other types of wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation suggested the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

This statement referred to the 17 areas that voted to keep their seats.