🔗 Share this article

The number of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities is set to be cut by over 50%, after a controversial law change that forced municipal councils to put the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include multiple councillors depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to elect a assured Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments were only able to establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations frequently spent years building local support and urging their local governments to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, stating communities should decide whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to keep their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing many regions opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

The results represented “a vital step in restoring community self-determination.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has said it aims to end “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – most urban centers mandated to hold referendums backed Māori wards, while rural regions 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

The recent municipal polls recorded the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to establish different electoral districts – including rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation indicated the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

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