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The count of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, following a controversial law change that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more councillors depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to create a Indigenous seat by first putting it to a public vote in their region. Communities often devoted considerable time generating community backing and urging their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, stating local residents should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required councils that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing many regions against guaranteed Māori representation.

The results provided “a crucial move in restoring community self-determination.”

Opposition parties however have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it wants to terminate “race-based” policies, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are permitted to create other types of electoral districts – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a community ballot. The different conditions applied to Indigenous representation suggested the administration was singling out Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement concerned the 17 regions that voted to retain their wards.