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The count of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities is set to be cut by more than half, following a divisive law change that required municipal councils to submit the future of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more councillors depending on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to elect a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils were only able to establish a Māori ward by first putting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities often devoted considerable time building local support and pushing their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To address this concern, the former administration permitted local councils to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, stating local residents should decide whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

The results provided “a vital step in restoring community self-determination.”

Critics however have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to measures designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it aims to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities required to vote supported Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Concerns

The recent local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to establish different wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions placed on Māori wards suggested the government was singling out Māori representation.

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

This statement referred to the 17 regions that voted to keep their wards.