🔗 Share this article

The count of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities will be slashed by over 50%, following a controversial law change that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have multiple councillors depending on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time building local support and urging their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government allowed local councils to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, saying communities should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required local authorities that had created a electoral district under the previous policy to hold decisive public votes alongside the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it aims to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – most cities required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards removing 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 Concerns

This year’s local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

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

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This statement concerned the 17 areas that chose to retain their wards.