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The count of guaranteed positions for Māori representatives on NZ councils is set to be cut by more than half, following a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have multiple councillors depending on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, councils were only able to create a Māori ward by first submitting it to a public vote in their region. Communities often spent years generating local support and urging their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To address this concern, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, saying communities ought to determine whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

The results provided “a crucial move in restoring local democratic control.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the coalition government has implemented extensive reversals to policies designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has said it aims to end “race-based” approaches, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

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

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

Electoral Participation and Criticism

This year’s local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, leading to demands for reform.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to create other types of wards – including countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Māori wards suggested the government was targeting Māori representation.

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

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