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The count of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ councils will be slashed by more than half, following a controversial law change that forced municipal councils to put the future of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include one or more councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils were only able to establish a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities often devoted considerable time building local support and urging their local governments to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes 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 overturned the policy, saying communities ought to determine whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had created a ward under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the public vote, 17 decided to keep their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes provided “a vital step in reinstating community self-determination.”

Critics however have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented extensive reversals to measures designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it aims to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – most cities mandated to hold referendums backed Māori wards, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards removing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Concerns

This year’s local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are permitted to establish different wards – including countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards indicated the administration was singling out Māori representation.

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

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