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The number of reserved positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils is set to be slashed by more than half, following a divisive law change that required local governments to submit the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple elected officials depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils could only create a Indigenous seat by first submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations frequently spent years generating local support and pushing their councils to create Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government allowed local councils to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, saying local residents should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a crucial move in reinstating local democratic control.”

Opposition parties however have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has said it wants to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – most cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re just beginning to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are permitted to create different wards – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards suggested the government was singling out Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement concerned the 17 regions that voted to keep their seats.