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The number of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities will be slashed by more than half, following a controversial law change that required municipal councils to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include multiple councillors based on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments could only create a Indigenous seat by initially putting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities frequently devoted considerable time generating local support and urging their councils to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed local councils to establish a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to subject it to a popular ballot.

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

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had created a ward 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 retain their wards, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to policies intended to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it aims to terminate “race-based” policies, and says it is dedicated to enhancing results for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – most cities mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

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

Electoral Participation 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, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are able to create other types of wards – such as rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation indicated the administration was singling out Māori representation.

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

This remark concerned the 17 regions that voted to keep their wards.