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The count of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities is set to be cut by over 50%, after a divisive legislative amendment that required municipal councils to put the future of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have one or more elected officials depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to vote for a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, local governments could only establish a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations frequently spent years building local support and urging their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

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

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, stating local residents ought to determine whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to hold decisive public votes concurrently with 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 disestablish theirs – showing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to policies intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it aims to end “race-based” approaches, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

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 countryside areas skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re just beginning to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to establish different electoral districts – such as rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation indicated the administration was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

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

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