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The number of guaranteed seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities is set to be cut by more than half, following a divisive law change that forced municipal councils to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Māori wards, which may have one or more elected officials depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments could only establish a Māori ward by first putting it to a community referendum in their region. Local populations frequently spent years generating community backing and pushing their local governments to create Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to subject it to a public vote.

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

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation required local authorities that had established a ward under Labour’s rules to hold decisive public votes alongside the local body elections, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to keep their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

The results represented “a vital step in restoring community self-determination.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it aims to end “race-based” 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 – most cities required to vote supported Māori wards, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are permitted to create different electoral districts – including countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards indicated the administration was singling out Māori representation.

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

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