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The count of guaranteed seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities will be slashed by over 50%, after a controversial legislative amendment that required municipal councils to submit the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have one or more councillors based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to elect a assured Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, councils were only able to establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time generating local support and pushing their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, saying local residents ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had established a ward under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to keep their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes provided “a vital step 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 extensive reversals to measures intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – most cities mandated to hold referendums backed Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards removing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s municipal polls recorded the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are able to create other types of electoral districts – including countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards suggested the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

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