🔗 Share this article

The count of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by over 50%, after a controversial legislative amendment that required local governments to submit the future of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have one or more councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils were only able to create a Māori ward by initially submitting 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 Administrative Decisions

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

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, saying local residents ought to determine whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required councils that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments participating in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Critics however have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to policies intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it wants to end “race-based” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were split down city-country divisions – most urban centers required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to establish different wards – including countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards indicated the government was targeting Māori representation.

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

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