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The count of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ councils will be cut by more than half, following a divisive law change that required local governments to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more councillors depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils could only establish a Indigenous seat by first putting 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 Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to set up 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, stating local residents should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their wards, and 25 to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

The results provided “a vital step in restoring community self-determination.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it aims to terminate “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were divided down urban-rural lines – most cities mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent local government elections recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of citizens casting a vote, prompting demands for reform.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to establish different electoral districts – such as countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The different conditions applied to Indigenous representation indicated the government was targeting Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have given the government a middle finger response.”

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