🔗 Share this article

The number of reserved seats for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils will be cut by more than half, following a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include one or more councillors depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the option to vote for a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils could only establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a public vote in their area. Communities often spent years generating community backing and pushing their councils to create Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to put it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, saying communities should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their wards, and 25 to abolish theirs – revealing many regions opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it wants to end “race-based” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – most cities mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, 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 registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to establish other types of wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation suggested the government was singling out Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This statement concerned the 17 regions that chose to keep their seats.