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The number of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand councils is set to be cut by more than half, after a controversial legislative amendment that forced local governments to submit the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more elected officials depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments were only able to establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Local populations often devoted considerable time building local support and pushing their local governments to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, stating communities ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.

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 local body elections, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

The results represented “a vital step in reinstating community self-determination.”

Critics however have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it wants to end “race-based” approaches, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums backed Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent municipal polls recorded the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are permitted to establish different electoral districts – including countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions placed on Māori wards indicated the government was targeting Māori representation.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

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