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The number of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on NZ councils is set to be slashed by over 50%, following a controversial legislative amendment that required municipal councils to submit the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more elected officials based on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils were only able to establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations often devoted considerable time generating community backing and urging their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, stating local residents should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required councils that had established a ward under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils participating in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented extensive reversals to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it wants to end “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven urban centers required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are permitted to create other types of wards – including countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards suggested the administration was singling out Māori representation.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This statement concerned the 17 areas that chose to retain their wards.