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The number of guaranteed seats for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, following a divisive law change that required municipal councils to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which can include one or more councillors depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the choice to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by first putting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities frequently spent years generating local support and urging their councils to establish Māori wards.

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 popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, saying local residents should decide whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required local authorities that had established a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the local body elections, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to policies intended to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it wants to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – most urban centers mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens participating, prompting demands for reform.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are permitted to create different electoral districts – including countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation suggested the government was targeting Māori representation.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

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