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The count of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on NZ councils will be slashed by over 50%, following a divisive legislative amendment that forced municipal councils to submit the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which may have one or more elected officials based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the choice to elect a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils could only create a Māori ward by initially putting it to a public vote in their region. Communities frequently devoted considerable time building local support and urging their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, stating communities should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had established a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes alongside the local body elections, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties however have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in sweeping rollbacks 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.

Urban-Rural Divide

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

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had recently been established – 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, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are able to create different electoral districts – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Māori wards suggested the administration was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

This remark concerned the 17 regions that voted to keep their seats.