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The count of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on NZ councils is set to be cut by more than half, after a divisive law change that forced local governments to submit the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple elected officials depending on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Originally, local governments could only establish a Māori ward by first putting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations often devoted considerable time generating community backing and pushing their councils to establish Indigenous representation.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To address this concern, the former administration permitted local councils to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, stating local residents ought to determine whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had created a electoral district under the previous policy to hold binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils participating in the public vote, 17 voted to retain their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing many regions against guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Opposition parties however have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government 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 asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were split down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Electoral Participation and Concerns

The recent local government elections recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of citizens participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to create different wards – including rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation indicated the government was targeting Māori representation.

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

This remark concerned the 17 areas that voted to keep their seats.