🔗 Share this article

The count of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by over 50%, after a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to submit the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which can include multiple councillors depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils were only able to create a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a public vote in their area. Communities often devoted considerable time building community backing and pushing their local governments to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

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

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, stating communities ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required local authorities that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing many regions against guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Opposition parties however have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented extensive reversals to policies intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were split down urban-rural lines – most cities required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Criticism

This year’s local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to establish different wards – including rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards suggested the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

This remark referred to the 17 regions that voted to keep their seats.