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The number of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, after a controversial legislative amendment that required municipal councils to submit the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a popular referendum.

Historical Context on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple councillors based on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the option to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, local governments were only able to establish a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Local populations often spent years building local support and pushing their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration 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 reversed the change, saying communities ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had created a ward under the previous policy to conduct binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments participating in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Opposition parties nevertheless have condemned the government’s law change as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has said it aims to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – most cities mandated to hold referendums supported Māori wards, 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 lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of citizens participating, leading to demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to establish other types of wards – such as rural wards – without first requiring a public vote. The different conditions applied to Indigenous representation suggested the administration was targeting Māori representation.

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

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