🔗 Share this article

The number of reserved positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils will be slashed by over 50%, after a divisive law change that forced municipal councils to submit the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include multiple elected officials based on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments were only able to create a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a public vote in their region. Communities frequently spent years generating local support and pushing their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, stating local residents ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had established a ward under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the local body elections, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils participating in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

The results represented “a vital step in restoring local democratic control.”

Critics however have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has stated it aims to terminate “race-based” approaches, and says it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the public votes were split 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 recently been established – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, prompting demands for reform.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to establish different electoral districts – including countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions placed on Māori wards indicated the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This statement referred to the 17 regions that chose to retain their wards.