Reserved Indigenous Seats on New Zealand Local Governments to Be Slashed by More Than Half

The number of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, following a divisive law change that forced municipal councils to submit the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple councillors based on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to vote for a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils were only able to create a Māori ward by first submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations often spent years building community backing and pushing their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

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

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, stating local residents should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had established a ward under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes provided “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – six of the seven urban centers required to vote supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Māori wards that had only just come in – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are able to establish different electoral districts – such as rural wards – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions placed on Māori wards indicated the administration was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

This remark referred to the 17 areas that chose to retain their seats.