🔗 Share this article

The number of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities will be slashed by over 50%, following a divisive legislative amendment that required municipal councils to put the fate of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple elected officials depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to vote for a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, local governments were only able to establish a Māori ward by first putting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time building local support and pushing their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to establish a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, stating communities should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to keep their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes represented “a crucial move in restoring community self-determination.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it aims to end “race-based” policies, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – most urban centers mandated to hold referendums backed Indigenous seats, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had only just come in – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Concerns

The recent municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of citizens participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to establish other types of wards – such as rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions applied to Māori wards suggested the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

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

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