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The count of guaranteed positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils is set to be cut by more than half, following a controversial law change that forced municipal councils to submit the future of hard-won Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which may have one or more councillors depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a assured Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, local governments could only create a Māori ward by first putting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations often devoted considerable time building local support and pushing their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to put it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, saying communities should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required councils that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

The results provided “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it aims to end “race-based” policies, and asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – most cities mandated to hold referendums backed Māori wards, while countryside areas skewed heavily 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 municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to create different wards – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Māori wards suggested the government was singling out Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

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