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The count of reserved seats for Māori representatives on New Zealand local authorities is set to be cut by over 50%, following a divisive law change that required local governments to submit the fate of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which may have one or more councillors depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments could only establish a Māori ward by initially putting it to a public vote in their region. Communities often devoted considerable time building community backing and urging their local governments to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, saying local residents should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had established a ward under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their wards, and 25 to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in restoring community self-determination.”

Critics however have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to policies intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it wants to terminate “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – six of the seven cities required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are permitted to establish different electoral districts – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation suggested the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

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

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