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The number of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities is set to be cut by over 50%, following a controversial legislative amendment that required municipal councils to put the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more councillors depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the option to vote for a assured Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils were only able to create a Indigenous seat by first submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations frequently spent years building community backing and urging their councils to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted local councils to set up a Māori ward without initially mandating them to put it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, saying communities ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had created a ward under the previous policy to hold binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes provided “a crucial move in restoring community self-determination.”

Critics nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it aims to terminate “race-based” policies, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – most cities mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting demands for reform.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are able to create different wards – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions applied to Māori wards indicated the government was singling out Māori representation.

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

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