🔗 Share this article

The count of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on NZ councils will be slashed by over 50%, following a controversial law change that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which may have multiple councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to vote for a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments were only able to create a Māori ward by first putting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations often devoted considerable time building local support and pushing their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration permitted local councils to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, stating communities ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated councils that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to hold binding referendums concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the public votes were split down city-country divisions – most cities required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

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

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to establish different electoral districts – including rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards indicated the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This statement concerned the 17 regions that voted to retain their wards.