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The count of guaranteed positions for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, following a controversial law change that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more councillors based on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments were only able to create a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations frequently spent years generating local support and urging their councils to establish Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without initially mandating them to put it to a popular ballot.

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

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

The results represented “a vital step in reinstating community self-determination.”

Critics however have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the public votes were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had recently been established – they’re just beginning to hit their stride.”

Electoral Participation and Concerns

The recent municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are able to create other types of wards – including countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation suggested the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

This remark referred to the 17 areas that chose to keep their seats.