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The count of reserved positions for Māori representatives on NZ councils is set to be cut by over 50%, after a divisive law change that forced municipal councils to put the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more councillors depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments were only able to create a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Local populations often devoted considerable time generating community backing and urging their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, saying local residents ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to keep their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

The results represented “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to measures intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it wants to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – most urban centers required to vote supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Concerns

The recent local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are able to create other types of wards – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation suggested the administration was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

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