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The number of reserved positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils is set to be slashed by over 50%, following a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to submit the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple elected officials depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to vote for a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments were only able to create a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations often spent years generating local support and pushing their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration allowed local councils to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

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

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in restoring local democratic control.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to create different wards – such as rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation indicated the administration was targeting Māori representation.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

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