Guaranteed Indigenous Council Positions on NZ Local Governments to Be Slashed by Over 50%

The count of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils is set to be cut by more than half, after a controversial legislative amendment that required local governments to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more councillors depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to vote for a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments could only create a Indigenous seat by initially putting it to a public vote in their region. Communities frequently spent years building local support and urging their local governments to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To address this concern, the former administration permitted local councils to establish a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, saying communities should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required councils that had established a ward under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils participating in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

The results provided “a crucial move in restoring community self-determination.”

Critics nevertheless have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – most urban centers required to vote backed Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are permitted to create other types of wards – including rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions applied to Māori wards indicated the government was targeting Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

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