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

Background Information on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more elected officials depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments were only able to establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities often spent years building local support and urging their councils to create Indigenous representation.

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 subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, stating local residents should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

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

The results provided “a crucial move in restoring community self-determination.”

Critics however have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it wants to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – six of the seven urban centers required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Concerns

This year’s municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to create different electoral districts – including countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards suggested the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

This remark concerned the 17 areas that chose to keep their wards.