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The count of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ councils will be slashed by over 50%, following a divisive legislative amendment that forced municipal councils to put the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which may have multiple councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the choice to elect a assured Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by first putting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities often spent years generating community backing and urging their councils to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to set up a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to put it to a public vote.

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

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required councils that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in restoring community self-determination.”

Critics nevertheless have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to policies intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has said it wants to terminate “race-based” approaches, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

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

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are permitted to establish different electoral districts – including rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards indicated the government was targeting Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

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