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The number of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on NZ councils will be slashed by more than half, following a controversial law change that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have one or more councillors based on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to elect a assured Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, councils could only create a Indigenous seat by first submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Local populations frequently spent years generating community backing and pushing their councils to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, stating communities ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change mandated 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 public vote, 17 voted to retain their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes provided “a crucial move in restoring community self-determination.”

Opposition parties however have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it wants to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

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

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

Electoral Participation and Concerns

The recent municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting demands for reform.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are able to create different wards – including countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation suggested the administration was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

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