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The count of reserved positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand local authorities will be slashed by over 50%, after a controversial legislative amendment that required municipal councils to put the future of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more elected officials depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by first putting it to a public vote in their area. Communities frequently devoted considerable time generating community backing and urging their councils to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government allowed local councils to establish a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, saying communities should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had created a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which concluded on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their wards, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures intended to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it wants to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – six of the seven cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards removing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are permitted to establish other types of electoral districts – including countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards suggested the administration was targeting Māori representation.

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

This statement concerned the 17 areas that voted to keep their wards.