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The count of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand councils will be slashed by more than half, after a controversial law change that required municipal councils to submit the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more elected officials based on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils could only establish a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities often devoted considerable time generating community backing and urging their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration permitted local councils to establish a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, saying local residents ought to determine whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required councils that had established a ward under Labour’s rules to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils participating in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their wards, and 25 to abolish theirs – revealing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

The results represented “a crucial move in reinstating community self-determination.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has stated it aims to terminate “race-based” approaches, and says it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – most cities mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions leaned strongly towards removing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Concerns

The recent local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are permitted to establish different electoral districts – including countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Indigenous representation indicated the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

This statement concerned the 17 areas that voted to retain their wards.