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The count of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand councils will be slashed by over 50%, following a controversial law change that required municipal councils to put the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more elected officials based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to elect a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments could only establish a Indigenous seat by first submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations frequently spent years generating local support and urging 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 initially mandating them to subject it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, stating local residents ought to determine whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in restoring local democratic control.”

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it wants to terminate “race-based” policies, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – most urban centers required to vote supported Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are able to establish other types of wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on 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 keep their wards.