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The count of guaranteed seats for Indigenous council members on NZ councils will be cut by more than half, after a divisive legislative amendment that required local governments to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include multiple councillors depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments were only able to create a Māori ward by first putting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time generating local support and urging their councils to create Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to put it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, stating communities ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required local authorities that had created a ward under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 decided to keep their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties however have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it aims to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down urban-rural lines – six of the seven urban centers required to vote supported Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had recently been established – they’re just beginning to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to create other types of wards – such as rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation suggested the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This remark concerned the 17 regions that chose to retain their seats.