Guaranteed Indigenous Council Positions on New Zealand Councils to Be Slashed by Over 50%

The number of reserved positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils will be slashed by more than half, after a divisive legislative amendment that required local governments to put the fate of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include one or more councillors based on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils were only able to create a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations frequently spent years generating community backing and urging their councils to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, stating communities should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required local authorities that had established a ward under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in restoring community self-determination.”

Critics however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has implemented extensive reversals to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it aims to end “race-based” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were split down urban-rural lines – six of the seven cities mandated to hold referendums backed Māori wards, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats 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 under one-third of citizens participating, prompting demands for reform.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to establish different electoral districts – such as rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The different conditions applied to Indigenous representation indicated the government was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

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