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The number of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on New Zealand councils is set to be slashed by over 50%, after a controversial law change that required municipal councils to submit the fate of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple councillors depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the option to elect a assured Indigenous council member in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, local governments could only establish a Māori ward by initially putting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time generating local support and urging their councils to create Māori wards.

Legislative Shifts and Government Actions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed local councils to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, stating local residents should decide whether to introduce Māori wards.

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had established a ward under the previous policy to hold decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their wards, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

The results provided “a vital step in restoring community self-determination.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies designed to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it aims to terminate “race-based” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were split down city-country divisions – most cities required to vote backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had only just come in – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

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 participating, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are able to create different wards – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation suggested the administration was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

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

This remark concerned the 17 regions that voted to retain their seats.