🔗 Share this article

The count of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on NZ councils will be cut by over 50%, after a divisive legislative amendment that required municipal councils to submit the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include one or more elected officials depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments could only create a Indigenous seat by initially putting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time building local support and urging their councils to create Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government permitted municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, saying local residents should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their wards, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Critics however have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has said it aims to end “race-based” approaches, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – six of the seven urban centers 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 recently been established – they’re just beginning to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent municipal polls recorded the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to establish other types of electoral districts – such as countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation suggested the administration was targeting Māori representation.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Numerous localities have given the government a middle finger response.”

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