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The number of reserved seats for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils is set to be cut by more than half, after a controversial legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which may have one or more elected officials based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, local governments could only create a Indigenous seat by first submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations often devoted considerable time generating community backing and pushing their councils to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government allowed local councils to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, saying communities ought to determine whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required local authorities that had created a ward under the previous policy to hold binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Opposition parties however have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to measures designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it wants to terminate “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – most cities mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s local government elections recorded the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to establish different wards – including countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards indicated the government was targeting Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This remark concerned the 17 areas that voted to keep their seats.