Guaranteed Indigenous Seats on NZ Local Governments to Be Slashed by More Than Half
The number of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities will be slashed by more than half, following a divisive law change that required municipal councils to submit the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.
Historical Context on Indigenous Representation
Māori wards, which may have multiple councillors based on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the option to vote for a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments could only establish a Māori ward by first putting it to a community referendum in their area. Communities frequently spent years building community backing and pushing their local governments to create Māori wards.
Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions
To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted local councils to set up a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to put it to a popular ballot.
However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, stating communities ought to determine whether to establish Māori wards.
Voting Outcomes
The new legislation mandated councils that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to hold binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing many regions against guaranteed Māori representation.
These outcomes represented “a crucial move in restoring community self-determination.”
Critics however have condemned the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to policies intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it wants to terminate “race-based” policies, and says it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.
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 a real shame for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.”
Electoral Participation and Criticism
This year’s municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of citizens participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.
The process had been “a mockery”.
Differential Standards
Councils are able to establish different electoral districts – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards suggested the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.
“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”
This statement referred to the 17 regions that voted to keep their wards.
