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The count of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on NZ councils is set to be slashed by over 50%, after a divisive legislative amendment that required local governments to put the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, local governments could only create a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations often spent years generating local support and urging their local governments to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, stating local residents ought to determine whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required local authorities that had created a ward under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes alongside the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils participating in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

The results represented “a crucial move in reinstating community self-determination.”

Critics however have condemned the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has implemented extensive reversals to measures intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it wants to terminate “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – six of the seven cities required to vote supported Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re just beginning to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of citizens participating, leading to demands for reform.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to create different electoral districts – including rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation suggested the administration was singling out Māori representation.

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

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