Reserved Māori Seats on NZ Councils to Be Reduced by Over 50%

The number of guaranteed positions for Māori representatives on NZ councils is set to be cut by more than half, following a controversial legislative amendment that required local governments to put the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Historical Context on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple councillors based 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 create a Māori ward by initially putting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations frequently spent years generating community backing and pushing their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed local councils to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, saying local residents ought to determine whether to establish Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change required councils that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to keep their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

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

Critics however have condemned the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it wants to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

Outcomes of the public votes were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven urban centers required to vote supported Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards removing them.

“It’s a real shame for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to create other types of electoral districts – including countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards suggested the administration was targeting Māori representation.

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

This remark referred to the 17 regions that voted to keep their wards.