🔗 Share this article

The number of guaranteed positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand local authorities is set to be cut by more than half, following a controversial legislative amendment that forced municipal councils to put the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils could only establish a Māori ward by initially putting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities often devoted considerable time building community backing and urging their councils to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

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

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had created a ward under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

The results represented “a crucial move in reinstating community self-determination.”

Critics nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures intended to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has stated it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

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

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

Electoral Participation and Criticism

The recent local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, leading to demands for reform.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are able to create different electoral districts – including rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards indicated the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement concerned the 17 areas that chose to keep their wards.