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The number of guaranteed positions for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities 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 public vote.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which can include multiple councillors based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by first submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Local populations often devoted considerable time generating community backing and urging their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, saying local residents should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had established a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils participating in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it wants to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the public votes were split down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

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

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are able to create other types of wards – such as rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation suggested the government 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 keep their wards.