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The count of guaranteed seats for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities will be slashed by more than half, following a divisive law change that forced local governments to submit the future of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have multiple councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to create a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time generating community backing and pushing their councils to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, stating local residents ought to determine whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

The results provided “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it aims to terminate “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – six of the seven urban centers mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing 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

This year’s local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens participating, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to create different wards – such as rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation indicated the government was singling out Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

This remark referred to the 17 regions that chose to keep their seats.