🔗 Share this article

The count of guaranteed seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand councils is set to be slashed by over 50%, after a controversial law change that forced local governments to put the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which can include multiple councillors based on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by first submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations often spent years building local support and urging their local governments to create Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, stating communities should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it aims to terminate “race-based” policies, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the public votes were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s municipal polls registered 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.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

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

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

This remark concerned the 17 areas that voted to keep their seats.