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The number of reserved seats for Māori representatives on New Zealand local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, after a controversial legislative amendment that forced local governments to submit the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have one or more elected officials depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to vote for a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments could only create a Māori ward by initially putting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time building local support and urging their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to put it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, saying communities should decide whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had established a ward under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the public vote, 17 decided to keep their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it wants to end “race-based” policies, and says it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – most cities required to vote supported Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent municipal polls recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to establish other types of electoral districts – such as countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards suggested the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This statement concerned the 17 areas that voted to retain their seats.