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The count of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ councils will be cut by more than half, after a divisive legislative amendment that required local governments to put the future of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple councillors based on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils could only create a Māori ward by initially putting it to a public vote in their region. Communities often devoted considerable time generating community backing and pushing their local governments to create Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, saying local residents should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had created a ward under the previous policy to hold decisive public votes alongside the local body elections, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to keep their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing many regions opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes provided “a crucial move in restoring community self-determination.”

Critics nevertheless have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to measures designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it aims to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had only just come in – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent local government elections recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to establish different wards – such as countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards indicated the administration was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

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