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The count of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities will be cut by more than half, following a divisive legislative amendment that required municipal councils to submit the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple elected officials based on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils could only establish a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities frequently devoted considerable time generating local support and urging their local governments to create Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration allowed local councils to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, saying communities should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change mandated councils that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing many regions against guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in restoring community self-determination.”

Critics nevertheless have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to policies designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – six of the seven urban centers required to vote backed Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Criticism

This year’s local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens participating, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are permitted to establish different wards – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation indicated the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

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

This remark referred to the 17 areas that voted to keep their seats.