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The number of guaranteed seats for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by over 50%, after a divisive law change that required municipal councils to submit the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have multiple councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to elect a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to create a Māori ward by first putting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time generating community backing and pushing their councils to create Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed local councils to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, saying communities ought to determine whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had established a ward under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils participating in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a crucial move in reinstating local democratic control.”

Opposition parties however have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it aims to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the public votes were split down city-country divisions – most cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to create other types of electoral districts – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation suggested the administration was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

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

This statement referred to the 17 regions that chose to keep their seats.