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The count of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand councils will be slashed by over 50%, following a divisive law change that required local governments to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include multiple elected officials depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the choice to elect a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments were only able to establish a Māori ward by initially putting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations often devoted considerable time building community backing and urging their local governments to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government allowed local councils to establish a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to subject it to a popular ballot.

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

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had established a ward under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Critics nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to measures designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it wants to terminate “race-based” policies, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – most cities required to vote supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent local government elections recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to establish different wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards suggested the administration was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

This remark concerned the 17 areas that chose to keep their wards.