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

Background Information on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple councillors depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments could only create a Māori ward by first putting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities often spent years building local support and pushing their local governments to create Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, stating communities ought to determine whether to establish Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had created a electoral district under the previous policy to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 decided to keep their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – revealing many regions opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

The results provided “a vital step in restoring community self-determination.”

Opposition parties however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has stated it wants to terminate “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – most cities required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are able to create other types of electoral districts – including rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards suggested the administration was targeting Māori representation.

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

This statement referred to the 17 areas that chose to keep their seats.