🔗 Share this article

The number of reserved positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils will be cut by over 50%, following a controversial legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple councillors depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils were only able to create a Indigenous seat by initially putting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities often devoted considerable time generating local support and pushing their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

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

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, saying local residents ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated councils that had established a ward under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – revealing many regions opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were split down city-country divisions – most urban centers required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Criticism

The recent local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to create different electoral districts – including countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions placed on Māori wards indicated the administration was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

This remark concerned the 17 areas that chose to keep their wards.