Reserved Indigenous Seats on New Zealand Councils to Be Slashed by Over 50%

The count of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on NZ councils is set to be slashed by more than half, following a divisive legislative amendment that required local governments to submit the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more elected officials based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments could only establish a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations frequently spent years generating local support and urging their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, stating local residents should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required councils that had established a ward under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

The results 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 coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has said it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums backed Indigenous seats, while rural regions leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Criticism

This year’s local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are able to create other types of electoral districts – such as rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation indicated the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

This remark concerned the 17 regions that chose to retain their wards.