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The number of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand councils is set to be cut by more than half, following a controversial law change that required local governments to submit the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple elected officials depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to vote for a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils could only create a Indigenous seat by initially putting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations often devoted considerable time generating local support and urging their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

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

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, saying communities ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required councils that had established 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 participating in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing many regions against guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes provided “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Opposition parties however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to policies intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it aims to end “race-based” approaches, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the public votes were split down urban-rural lines – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Criticism

This year’s local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to create other types of electoral districts – such as countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on 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 voted to retain their wards.