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The number of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities is set to be cut by more than half, following a controversial legislative amendment that required municipal councils to put the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which can include one or more elected officials depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to establish a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a public vote in their area. Communities frequently spent years generating community backing and pushing their local governments to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

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

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, saying local residents ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

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

These outcomes represented “a crucial move in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to policies intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it aims to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were divided down urban-rural lines – six of the seven cities required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are able to create different wards – such as rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards suggested the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

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

This statement concerned the 17 regions that chose to keep their seats.