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The count of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities will be cut by over 50%, following a divisive law change that required municipal councils to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple councillors depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, 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 local support and urging their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, saying local residents should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the local body elections, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

The results provided “a crucial move in reinstating local democratic control.”

Opposition parties however have condemned the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it wants to terminate “race-based” approaches, and says it is dedicated to enhancing results for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were split 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 a real shame for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Criticism

This year’s municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens participating, leading to demands for reform.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are permitted to establish different wards – including rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation indicated the government was singling out Māori representation.

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

This remark referred to the 17 regions that voted to retain their seats.