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The number of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities is set to be cut by over 50%, following a controversial law change that forced local governments to submit the future of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have one or more councillors based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments were only able to create a Māori ward by first putting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities often devoted considerable time building community backing and urging their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted local councils to establish a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, stating communities ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required local authorities that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – revealing many regions against guaranteed Māori representation.

The results provided “a crucial move in restoring local democratic control.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has stated it aims to terminate “race-based” policies, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – six of the seven urban centers required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Māori wards that had only just come in – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent municipal polls recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to create other types of electoral districts – including rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation indicated the administration was singling out Māori representation.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

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