🔗 Share this article

The number of reserved seats for Māori representatives on New Zealand local authorities will be cut by over 50%, following a divisive law change that forced local governments to submit the future of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple councillors depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, local governments could only establish a Indigenous seat by first putting it to a community referendum in their region. Local populations often spent years building community backing and urging their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a public vote.

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

Referendum Results

The new legislation required councils that had created a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the local body elections, which concluded on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Opposition parties however have condemned the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are able to establish different wards – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards suggested the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

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