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The number of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on New Zealand local authorities will be cut by over 50%, after a controversial legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the future of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include one or more elected officials depending on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to elect a assured Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by first putting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time building community backing and pushing their councils to create Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without initially mandating them to put it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, stating local residents should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required councils that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes provided “a crucial move in restoring local democratic control.”

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented extensive reversals to policies designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it wants to terminate “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are permitted to establish different wards – such as rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards suggested the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

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

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