Reserved Māori Council Positions on NZ Councils to Be Reduced by Over 50%

The count of reserved positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils is set to be slashed by over 50%, after a divisive legislative amendment that required local governments to submit the future of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to vote for a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils were only able to create a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities frequently spent years building community backing and pushing their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to put it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, stating communities ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had created a ward under the previous policy to hold binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

The results represented “a crucial move in restoring local democratic control.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it aims to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the public votes were split down urban-rural lines – six of the seven urban centers required to vote supported Māori wards, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re just beginning to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to establish other types of wards – including rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions placed on Māori wards indicated the government was singling out Māori representation.

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

This remark concerned the 17 areas that chose to retain their seats.