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The number of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils will be slashed by more than half, after a controversial law change that forced municipal councils to put the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have one or more elected officials depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments could only create a Māori ward by first putting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities frequently devoted considerable time building community backing and urging their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, saying local residents ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had established a ward under Labour’s rules to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to keep their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in extensive reversals to measures designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are able to create other types of electoral districts – including rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards indicated the government was targeting Māori representation.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

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