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The count of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand councils will be cut by over 50%, following a controversial legislative amendment that required local governments to put the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more councillors depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the option to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments could only create a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations often devoted considerable time generating local support and urging their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to put it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, saying local residents should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change required councils that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold 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 voted to keep their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing many regions against guaranteed Māori representation.

The results represented “a crucial move in restoring local democratic control.”

Critics nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented extensive reversals to measures designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has stated it aims to terminate “race-based” policies, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – six of the seven cities required to vote supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are permitted to create other types of wards – such as rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Māori wards indicated the administration was singling out Māori representation.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

This remark concerned the 17 regions that chose to keep their seats.