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The count of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities will be slashed by more than half, after a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the future of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which may have one or more councillors based on local population numbers, 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 public vote in their area. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time generating local support and pushing their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to put it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, stating communities should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required councils that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties however have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it aims to terminate “race-based” policies, and says it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – most cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s 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.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to create other types of electoral districts – including rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation indicated the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

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