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The count of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, after a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to put the future of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple elected officials depending on local population numbers, were created in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, councils were only able to establish a Māori ward by initially putting it to a public vote in their region. Communities often devoted considerable time building community backing and pushing their local governments to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To remedy the issue, the former administration allowed municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, saying communities should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had established a ward under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 voted to retain their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics however have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were split down urban-rural lines – most cities mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with under one-third of citizens participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to establish different wards – including rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions applied to Māori wards suggested the administration was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

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