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The number of reserved positions for Māori representatives on NZ councils will be cut by more than half, after a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to submit the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have multiple elected officials based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by first submitting it to a public vote in their area. Communities often devoted considerable time generating local support and pushing their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

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

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, saying local residents should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required local authorities that had created a ward under the previous policy to hold binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it wants to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

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

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.”

Electoral Participation and Concerns

The recent municipal polls recorded the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens participating, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to create other types of electoral districts – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Māori wards suggested the administration was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

This remark concerned the 17 regions that chose to retain their seats.