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The number of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on NZ councils is set to be cut by over 50%, following a controversial legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the future of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have one or more elected officials depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to elect a assured Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils were only able to establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a public vote in their area. Communities often spent years building community backing and pushing their councils to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted local councils to establish a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, stating communities should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required councils that had created a ward under the previous policy to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes provided “a vital step in reinstating community self-determination.”

Critics however have criticised the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it wants to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were divided 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

The recent local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to create other types of electoral districts – such as countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The different conditions applied to Māori wards indicated the government was targeting Māori representation.

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

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