Reserved Indigenous Seats on NZ Local Governments to Be Slashed by Over 50%

The number of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities is set to be cut by over 50%, after a divisive law change that required local governments to submit the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple councillors based on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to elect a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a public vote in their area. Communities often devoted considerable time generating community backing and pushing their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To address this concern, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, stating local residents should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required councils that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to keep their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

The results provided “a crucial move in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. 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 terminate “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down urban-rural lines – six of the seven cities required to vote supported Māori wards, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to create other types of electoral districts – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards suggested the administration 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 chose to keep their wards.