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The number of reserved positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils will be cut by over 50%, after a controversial law change that required local governments to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Māori wards, which can include multiple councillors based on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to vote for a assured Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, local governments could only create a Māori ward by first submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations frequently spent years generating community backing and urging their councils to create Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the previous Labour government permitted municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

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

Referendum Results

The new legislation required councils that had established a ward under Labour’s rules to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the local body elections, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to keep their wards, and 25 to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes provided “a vital step in restoring local democratic control.”

Opposition parties however have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has said it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the public votes were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven urban centers mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

This year’s municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.

This approach had been “a farce”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to establish other types of electoral districts – such as countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The different conditions placed on Māori wards suggested the government was targeting Māori representation.

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

This statement concerned the 17 areas that chose to keep their wards.