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The count of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand councils will be cut by over 50%, following a divisive law change that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple elected officials depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a assured Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments were only able to establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities frequently spent years building local support and pushing their councils to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, saying communities ought to determine whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had established a ward under the previous policy to hold binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils participating in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their wards, and 25 to abolish theirs – revealing many regions opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Critics however have criticised the new policy as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it aims to end “race-based” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – most cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while countryside areas leaned strongly 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 Criticism

The recent municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to establish different wards – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation indicated the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

This remark referred to the 17 regions that voted to retain their seats.