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The number of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils is set to be cut by over 50%, after a controversial legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which can include one or more councillors depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to elect a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils could only create a Māori ward by first putting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities frequently devoted considerable time building local support and pushing their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without initially mandating them to put it to a public vote.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, stating local residents ought to determine whether to establish Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required local authorities that had established a ward under the previous policy to hold binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing many regions opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes provided “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics however have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it aims to terminate “race-based” approaches, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down urban-rural lines – most cities mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to create other types of wards – such as rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The different conditions applied to Indigenous representation indicated the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This statement concerned the 17 areas that voted to retain their wards.