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The count of guaranteed positions for Māori representatives on NZ councils is set to be cut by more than half, after a divisive legislative amendment that required municipal councils to put the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include one or more councillors depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to elect a assured Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, local governments could only establish a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations often spent years generating community backing and pushing their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, saying communities should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required local authorities that had created a ward under the previous policy to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

The results provided “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Opposition parties however have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to measures designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the public votes were split down urban-rural lines – most cities mandated to hold referendums backed Indigenous seats, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

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

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

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