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The number of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, after a controversial law change that required local governments to submit the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which can include one or more elected officials based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils were only able to establish a Māori ward by initially putting it to a public vote in their area. Communities often spent years generating local support and urging their councils to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to subject 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 new legislation required councils that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing many regions opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes provided “a crucial move in restoring local democratic control.”

Opposition parties however have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to policies designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it wants to end “race-based” policies, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were divided down city-country divisions – most urban centers required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Criticism

The recent municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are permitted to create different wards – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation indicated the administration was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement referred to the 17 areas that chose to retain their seats.