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The count of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, following a divisive law change that forced municipal councils to submit the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more councillors depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments could only create a Indigenous seat by initially putting it to a community referendum in their region. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time generating local support and pushing their local governments to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to put it to a public vote.

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

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

The results provided “a crucial move in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics however have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it wants to end “race-based” approaches, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven urban centers mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Concerns

The recent municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of citizens casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach 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 different conditions applied to Māori wards suggested the government was targeting Māori representation.

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

This statement referred to the 17 regions that chose to keep their wards.