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The count of guaranteed seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand councils is set to be cut by over 50%, following a divisive legislative amendment that required local governments to put the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more elected officials depending on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to elect a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments were only able to create a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations often spent years building community backing and urging their councils to create Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted local councils to set up a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to put it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, stating communities ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums concurrently with the local body elections, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to keep their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

The results represented “a crucial move in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it aims to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had only just come in – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are able to establish different electoral districts – such as rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards indicated the administration was targeting Māori representation.

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

This statement referred to the 17 regions that chose to keep their wards.