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The count of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand councils is set to be slashed by more than half, following a controversial law change that forced local governments to submit the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have one or more councillors based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils were only able to establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations often devoted considerable time generating local support and urging their councils to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, saying communities ought to determine whether to establish Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes represented “a crucial move in reinstating community self-determination.”

Opposition parties however have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it aims to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – most cities required to vote supported Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards removing 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.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

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

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are able to establish other types of electoral districts – such as rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation indicated the administration was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement referred to the 17 regions that voted to retain their seats.