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The count of reserved positions for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities is set to be cut by over 50%, following a controversial law change that required local governments to submit the fate of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple elected officials depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by first submitting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations often spent years building community backing and urging their local governments to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a public vote.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, saying local residents ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to hold decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it aims to terminate “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – six of the seven urban centers mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions 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 Criticism

The recent local government elections recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to establish other types of electoral districts – such as countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards suggested the administration was targeting Māori representation.

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

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