🔗 Share this article

The count of reserved positions for Māori representatives on NZ councils is set to be cut by more than half, after a controversial legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which may have one or more elected officials based on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the option to vote for a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments were only able to create a Māori ward by initially putting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities often spent years generating community backing and urging their councils to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government allowed local councils to establish a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to put it to a public vote.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, stating local residents should decide whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had created a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties however have condemned the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – most cities mandated to hold referendums backed Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing 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

This year’s local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens participating, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to create different wards – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a community ballot. The different conditions applied to Indigenous representation suggested the government was targeting Māori representation.

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

This remark concerned the 17 regions that chose to retain their wards.