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The count 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 local governments to put the future of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more elected officials depending on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to elect a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils could only establish a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations frequently spent years building community backing and urging their councils to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, saying local residents should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required councils that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing many regions opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and says it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were split down urban-rural lines – most cities mandated to hold referendums backed Māori wards, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had only just come in – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s municipal polls recorded the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are permitted to establish different electoral districts – including rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. 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 concerned the 17 areas that voted to retain their wards.