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The count of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on NZ councils is set to be slashed by over 50%, following a controversial law change that required local governments to submit the future of hard-won Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more elected officials based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to elect a assured Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils could only establish a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a public vote in their area. Communities often devoted considerable time building local support and urging their councils to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to set up a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, stating local residents ought to determine whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes provided “a crucial move in restoring community self-determination.”

Critics however have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has said it wants to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the public votes were split down city-country divisions – six of the seven urban centers required to vote supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions leaned strongly towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.”

Electoral Participation and Concerns

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

The process had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

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

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

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