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The number of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, after a controversial legislative amendment that required municipal councils to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which can include one or more councillors depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments were only able to create a Māori ward by initially putting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time building local support and urging their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted local councils to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, stating local residents should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to hold binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – revealing many regions opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it wants to end “race-based” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – most cities mandated to hold referendums supported 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 find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Criticism

This year’s municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to create other types of wards – such as countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards indicated the administration was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

This remark referred to the 17 areas that voted to keep their seats.