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

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple councillors depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, local governments could only create a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Local populations often devoted considerable time generating community backing and urging their councils to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, saying local residents should decide whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had established a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils participating 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 crucial move in reinstating community self-determination.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it aims to terminate “race-based” policies, and asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while countryside areas 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 hit their stride.”

Electoral Participation and Criticism

This year’s local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are permitted to create other types of electoral districts – such as rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions placed on Māori wards suggested the government was targeting Māori representation.

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

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