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The count of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by over 50%, after a controversial law change that forced local governments to submit the fate of hard-earned 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 give Māori electors the option to elect a assured Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments were only able to create a Māori ward by initially putting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations often spent years building community backing and urging their councils to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat 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 new legislation mandated councils that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to keep their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a crucial move in restoring local democratic control.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it wants to end “race-based” policies, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to establish other types of wards – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation suggested the government was targeting Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

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