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The count of guaranteed seats for Māori representatives on NZ councils is set to be cut by more than half, after a divisive law change that forced local governments to put the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include one or more elected officials depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments were only able to establish a Māori ward by initially putting it to a public vote in their area. Communities frequently spent years building local support and pushing their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

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

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had created a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes alongside the local body elections, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the public vote, 17 voted to keep their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – revealing many regions against reserved Indigenous seats.

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

Critics nevertheless have condemned 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 improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has said it aims to end “race-based” approaches, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were split down city-country divisions – most cities mandated to hold referendums backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s local government elections recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Local governments are able to establish other types of wards – including rural wards – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation suggested the administration was singling out Māori representation.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement concerned the 17 regions that voted to retain their wards.