Reserved Indigenous Council Positions on New Zealand Local Governments to Be Slashed by Over 50%

The count of reserved seats for Māori representatives on NZ councils will be cut by more than half, following a divisive law change that forced local governments to put the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Background Information on Māori Wards

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more councillors depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Māori electors the option to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils could only establish a Indigenous seat by initially putting it to a public vote in their area. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time generating local support and pushing their councils to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to set up a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

However, this year, the current administration overturned the policy, saying communities ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 voted to keep their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

The results represented “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics however have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it wants to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and every citizen.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – six of the seven urban centers required to vote backed Māori wards, while countryside areas skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Electoral Participation and Criticism

The recent local government elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to establish other types of wards – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation suggested the administration was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This remark referred to the 17 regions that chose to keep their seats.