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The count of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities is set to be slashed by over 50%, after a controversial law change that required local governments to put the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple councillors based on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils could only establish a Māori ward by first putting it to a public vote in their area. Communities often spent years generating local support and pushing their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government permitted municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

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

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes alongside the local body elections, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to keep their wards, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Critics nevertheless have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – six of the seven urban centers 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 find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to create different electoral districts – including countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards suggested the administration was targeting Māori representation.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

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