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The number of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities will be cut by over 50%, after a controversial law change that required local governments to put the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more councillors depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, councils could only establish a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations often devoted considerable time building local support and pushing their councils to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

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

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, stating communities ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required local authorities that had established a ward under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils participating in the public vote, 17 voted to keep their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented extensive reversals to policies designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has stated it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums backed Indigenous seats, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats 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 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting demands for reform.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to create different wards – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards indicated the administration was singling out Māori representation.

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

This remark referred to the 17 areas that chose to retain their wards.