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The number of reserved positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand local authorities is set to be slashed by over 50%, after a divisive law change that forced municipal councils to submit the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which can include multiple councillors depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments were only able to create a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations frequently spent years generating local support and urging their councils to create Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed local councils to set up a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, stating local residents should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change required councils that had created a ward under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing many regions opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

The results provided “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to policies intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it aims to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were split down urban-rural lines – most urban centers required to vote supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s municipal polls recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to create other types of electoral districts – including rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation suggested the government was singling out Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement concerned the 17 areas that chose to keep their wards.