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The number of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities will be slashed by more than half, after a controversial legislative amendment that required local governments to submit the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more elected officials depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments could only create a Indigenous seat by initially putting it to a public vote in their area. Communities frequently devoted considerable time building community backing and urging their councils to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration allowed local councils to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, stating communities should decide whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required councils that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded 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 crucial move in restoring local democratic control.”

Critics nevertheless have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it wants to terminate “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – most cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent local government elections recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to establish different wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation suggested the administration was singling out Māori representation.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This statement referred to the 17 areas that chose to keep their wards.