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The number of reserved positions for Māori representatives on NZ local authorities will be cut by over 50%, after a divisive law change that required local governments to submit the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more elected officials depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a assured Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Originally, councils were only able to create a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities frequently spent years building community backing and urging their local governments to create Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without initially mandating them to put it to a public vote.

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

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required councils that had created a ward under the previous policy to hold binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to keep their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – revealing many regions against guaranteed Māori representation.

The results represented “a crucial move in restoring local democratic control.”

Critics nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and says it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – most cities mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing 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 Criticism

The recent local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to establish different wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Māori wards indicated the administration was targeting Māori representation.

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

This remark referred to the 17 regions that chose to keep their wards.