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The number of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand councils will be cut by over 50%, after a controversial legislative amendment that required local governments to submit the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which may have multiple elected officials based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to elect a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils could only establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations often devoted considerable time building local support and urging their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, stating communities ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required local authorities that had created a electoral district under the previous policy to hold binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to keep their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

The results provided “a vital step in restoring local democratic control.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has said it aims to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is dedicated to enhancing results for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven urban centers mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent municipal polls recorded the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, 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 different wards – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards suggested the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

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

This remark referred to the 17 regions that chose to keep their wards.