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The count of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils will be slashed by more than half, following a divisive law change that required local governments to put the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple elected officials depending on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments were only able to create a Indigenous seat by first putting it to a public vote in their area. Communities frequently devoted considerable time generating local support and pushing their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, saying local residents ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required councils that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to keep their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to measures intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to establish other types of wards – such as countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards indicated the administration was targeting Māori representation.

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

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