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The number of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on NZ councils will be cut by over 50%, after a controversial legislative amendment 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 may have multiple councillors depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the choice to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by first putting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations frequently spent years building community backing and pushing their councils to establish Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to set up a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, stating local residents should decide whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation mandated local authorities that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Out of 42 local governments participating in the public vote, 17 decided to retain their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – revealing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes represented “a crucial move in reinstating local democratic control.”

Opposition parties however have condemned the new policy as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in extensive reversals to measures designed to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it wants to terminate “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven cities required to vote supported Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards removing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Concerns

This year’s local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with less than a third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Councils are able to create different wards – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation indicated the government was targeting Māori representation.

“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement concerned the 17 areas that voted to retain their seats.