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The number of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities is set to be slashed by over 50%, after a divisive legislative amendment that forced municipal councils to put the fate of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more councillors depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments could only create a Indigenous seat by first putting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations often spent years building community backing and urging their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, stating local residents should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required councils that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – revealing many regions opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in restoring community self-determination.”

Opposition parties however have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has stated it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the public votes were split down city-country divisions – most 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 recently been established – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Criticism

The recent local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are able to establish other types of wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation suggested the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Well, they failed. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

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