🔗 Share this article

The number of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on NZ councils is set to be slashed by over 50%, following a controversial law change that required local governments to put the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have one or more elected officials depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils were only able to create a Indigenous seat by first putting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time generating community backing and urging their councils to create Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government allowed local councils to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

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

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required councils that had created a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to keep their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing many regions opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Opposition parties however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it wants to terminate “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – most cities mandated to hold referendums backed Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Concerns

The recent municipal polls recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens participating, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to create other types of wards – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions placed on Māori wards indicated the administration was targeting Māori representation.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement referred to the 17 regions that chose to keep their wards.