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The number of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by over 50%, following a controversial law change that forced local governments to submit the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include multiple elected officials based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils could only establish a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a public vote in their area. Communities often devoted considerable time generating local support and pushing their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government allowed local councils to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, stating communities should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation mandated councils that had created a ward under the previous policy to hold binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their wards, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a crucial move in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it wants to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Concerns

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

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

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 Māori wards indicated the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

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