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The count of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on NZ councils will be slashed by over 50%, following a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include 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. Initially, councils were only able to create a Māori ward by initially putting it to a community referendum in their region. Local populations frequently spent years generating local support and urging their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to put it to a public vote.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, saying local residents should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils participating in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Opposition parties however have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it wants to terminate “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results 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 only just starting to find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Criticism

The recent municipal polls recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of citizens participating, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to establish different electoral districts – such as rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Māori wards indicated the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

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

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